THE GERMAN ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 47, 24 August 1939, Page 13

THE GERMAN ARMY

GROWING ELATION

EYES ON MOSCOW:

(By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, August 23. Germany's elation grows as the world, after a troubled night, turns its eyes towards Moscow. It is confidently expected that the non-aggres-sion pact will be signed within a matter of hours, after which Germany's next and decisive move might follow at any minute. There is now no doubt that the German army is ready to march at a moment's notice. The German Press significantly does not mention the British Cabinet's statement. Officials, however, appear surprised at the firmness of the statement, but profess to continue^ to believe that neither Britain nor France would fight. The same quarters assert categorically that the "Versailles Poland" is dead. They predict a fourth partition, and it is openly threatened that Germany will march to Warsaw and beyond unless a settlement on the Czecho-Slovak lines is forthcoming. Even if the worst comes to the wor.st the average German is convinced that it will be all over in four or five days. This viewpoint coincides with the headlines of the newspaper "Boersen Zeitung": "London Puzzled and Afraid —Recognition of Defeat." The Press has made Germans believe that Russia will now stand shoulder to shoulder with Germany and actually join in grabbing Polish territory. Alongside stories of Poland's "bestial treatment of Germans" the newspapers unanimously declare that Germany has resumed Bismarck's foreign policy of friendship with Russia which Kaiser Wilhelm imprudently destroyed. Marshal Goering's "National Zeitung" ominously declares that Herr yon Ribbentrop's discussions in Moscow deal with the division of mutual spheres of influence, which is accepted as proof that the partition of Poland is planned. . The "Lokal-Anzeiger" says that Poland is now completely subordinated and will have to accept what- j ever Russia and Germany dictate, i REPORTED MEMORANDUM TO BRITAIN. Herr Hitler is reported to have declared in a memorandum to Britain j that if Poland fought it would mean j partition, but if it chose to settle the dispute peacefully Germany would agree on an arrangement somewhat similar to that in Bohemia and Moravia, namely, that Poland would enjoy autonomy under German protection. It' is said that Herr Hitler repeated in strong language that neither Britain nor France was concerned in Germany's dispute with Polan>. This is said to be the second document within two weeks sent to Mr. Chamberlain. The first memorandum was handed to Mr. Chamberlain by a private individual standing close to the Prime Minister and also enjoying the confidence of the highest Nazi circles.