MUTUAL DISTRUST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 70, 20 September 1939, Page 9

MUTUAL DISTRUST

RUSSIA AND GERMANY

REASON FOR LATEST MOVE

SOVIET ACCESS TO

EUROPE

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrinht.) NEW YORK, September 18. The Moscoav correspondent of the "New York Times" says that British authoritative circles do not believe the latest Russian move was planned at the time of the signature of the Russian-German pact. On the contrary, mutual Russian-German distrust is emphasised. They believe that the German Foreign Minister, Herr yon Ribbentrop, promised that the Germans would not approach nearer than a line running through Brest-Litovsk. When the Soviet saw the Germans nearing the line she decided to act and notified Germany, which put on its best face and pretended approval of the move. From a military viewpoint the Russians have not improved their position in relation to Germany. Fortification of the new line in a manner similar to the old frontiers will take time. Politically, however, she has gained considerably, as, apart from the fact that the Germans are prevented from approaching the border and seizing the Ukraine, the invasion hat given Russia easy access to Europe. Ironically, the Hungarians, whose hatred of the former Czech President, Dr. Benes, was based on an allegation that the Russian-Czech pact brought Russia back to Central Europe, now have Russian croops along the frontier, but unless Russia co-operates Germany, is again barred from the Rumanian oilfields, except through Hungary.

The Russian people's first feelings were shocked bewilderment, which was quickly replaced with satisfaction and some jingoism over the prowess of the "glorious Red army." The intelligentsia is pleased that the Soviet has "resumed its proper task of liberating oppressed people."

It is not expected that the Soviet system will be established in Poland, but rather that there -■■will be a controlled State similar to ' Outer Mongolia. There is at present no attempt at socialisation.

SAVED GERMANY THE

TROUBLE

(Independent Cable Service.) (Received September 20, 10.30 a.m.

LONDON, September 19.

An English-speaking radio announcer in Berlin stated: "The Soviet has saved Germany the trouble of occupying the whole of Poland." In Moscow it is stated semi-officially that the Soviet invasion of Poland is only; a means of forcing Germany to agree to the establishment in even a remnant of Poland of an independent Polish State.