EUROPE PONDERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 100, 1 May 1939, Page 9

EUROPE PONDERS

BELIEF IN LONDON

NO MAJOR MOVE TILL AUGUST

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

LONDON, April 30,

With the international spotlight focused stronger than ever on Poland, Europe spent the weekend digesting Herr Hitler's speech. The British Press unanimously expresses the opinion that Britain must not relax her protective measures. "The Times" believes that Herr Hitler is on the defensive, saying that his alternatives are a conference, deadlock, or war. It adds, however, that unless Germany overthrows the peace there will be no war. The impression of the "Daily Herald" is that Herr Hitler is not ready to risk a major war. The "Daily Telegraph" considers that the speech does not change the international situation. POLAND AND RUSSIA. When the Eritish Cabinet meets tomorrow the Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) will review the situation in the light of Herr Hitler's denunciation of the Polish Pact, which is believed to have swung Poland into willingness for much closer co-operation with Russia. It is noted in London that Germany expects to take a few months to complete her extensions to the Siegfried Line on the western frontier, and a section of informed public opinion therefore believes that no major move against Poland is likely before August. It is stated that Britain has no immediate intention of taking up Herr Hitler's suggestion to discuss a new naval treaty. Turkish circles consider that Herr Hitler's speech was a complete refusal to shake the hand which President Roosevelt held out for peace. TURKEY AND RUSSIA NEGOTIATE. With regard to the negotiations between Turkey and Russia, which started at Ankara today, the feeling is that Herr Hitler's speech has hindered Germany's interests and will probably induce Turkey to make decisions entirely contrary to Herr Hitler's wishes. After a lengthy conversation with Lord Halifax on Herr Hitler's speech, Mr. Chamberlain left on Friday evening for Chequers. The official Polish journal "Gazeta Polska" says that Herr Hitler's speech was unconvincing, particularly regarding Czecho-Slovakia. "He proposes negotiations, but no one is anxious to undertake them because Germany denounces agreements unilaterally whenever it suits her."