FOREIGN DIPLOMATS STUNNED

Evening Star, Issue 23352, 23 August 1939, Page 11

FOREIGN DIPLOMATS STUNNED

DRAMATIC MOVE

HITLER'S HAND VASTLY STRENGTHENED ASTOURDWB REVERSAL OF POLICY , LONDON, August 22. Amid the general surprise created by the announcement of the non-aggression pact between Russia and Germany it emerges from German semi-official circles that its speedy conclusion has already removed the. long existing tension between Russia and Germany. The impending pact will doubtless help to clear the international political atmosphere to the extent of making the “ encirclement ” Powers more cautious in their policy towards Germany. The preliminary negotiations between Berlin and Moscow ran concurrently with the British and French negotiations with Russia. German circles are most optimistic With regard to the European reaction to the pact. They regard the pact as a double blow to Britain’s attempt to enlist Russia in the British and French encircle- . ment policy. JAPAN’S POSITION. . The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of America says well-in-formed circles are unable to say how the pact between Russia and Germany will affect the anti-coraintern pact, under which Germany, Italy, and Japan are pledged to oppose international Bolshevism, but it is emphasised that all eventualities have been foreseen. German and Japanese relations have been taken into consideration. Basically Poland’s iposition appeared to be greatly weakened, for ny matter what the"^Vestern democracies might now arrange Poland could not expect help frog* the East. The Danzig correspondent of the British United Press says leading Nazis declared that the pact would undoubtedly hasten realisation of Danzig’s demand to join the Reich. It would also greatly lessen the possibilities of war arising out of a solution of the Danzig problem MUSSOLINI’S APPROVAL. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of America says it is understood that Signor Mussolini was fullyinformed of the negotiations for a pact between Russia and Germany, of which he approved as likely to secure not only Germany’s Polish aims, but also satisfaction of Italy’s claims on France. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ' Berlin correspondent says diplomatic observers describe Herr Hitler’s turning to Communist Russia for friendship as one of the most dramatic acts in his career. It is interpreted as meaning that Herr Hitler will allow nothing, not even ideological differences, to stand in the way of the policy he considers necessary to pursue to increase Greater Germany’s power and strength. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says the news spread like wildfire throughout the city, creating the greatest satisfaction everywhere. One comment was as follows: “ Poland is now trapped, and the entire Polish question will prove another German walk-over similar to Czechoslovakia.” Foreign diplomats are stunned. They expressed the opinion that the pact will vastly strengthen Herr Hitler’s hand, enabling him to press his antiPolish campaign with renewed vigour. It is even suggested that Poland might now be willing to negotiate on what she has hitherto steadfastly refused to discuss, t

WARSAW SHOCKED. The Warsaw correspondent of the British United Press says the news shocked Warsaw. The first reaction was to wait and see what Britain and France propose doing. Some express the opinion that it will mean the end of the British, French, and Russian talks, while others point out that nonaggression pacts do not affect alliances and recall that the alliance between Poland and France remained in force despite the non-aggression pact between Poland and Germany, which Herr Hitler subsequently denounced. The ‘ Daily Herald,’ in a leader, says the announcement* represents one of the most astounding and most shocking reversals of policy in history. The Tass agency says that after the conclusion of the trade agreement between Russia and Germany the problem of improving political relations arose. An exchange of views on this question established that both Governments desired to relieve the mutual political tension, eliminate the war menace, and conclude a non-aggression pact. ULTIMATUM TO POLAND NEXT STEP BY GERMANY LONDON, August 22. A message from Danzig says it is hinted that directly the Russo-German Pact is signed Germany will present Poland with a 24-hour ultimatum. GERMANY'S WAITING ATTITUDE ” DANZIG MUST GOME TO REICH " BERLIN, August ;22. (Received August 23, at 10 a.m.) The Official Spokesman declared that Germany was preserving a waiting attitude until the Russian pact was signed. “ Danzig must come back to the Reich,” he added. There were interesting developments ahead. VON RIBBENTROP EXPLAINS ADJUSTMENT OF POLITICAL RELATIONS BERLIN, August 22. (Received August 23, at S a.m.) Herr von Ribbentrop, accompanied by Dr Gaus and the interpreter, Herr Schmidt, stayed overnight at Koenigsberg. He arrives in Moscow on August 23. He explained that Russia and Germany would each maintain its political philosophy, but had agreed to adjust political relations. " BREAKING THROUGH ENGIRCLERS " DOMESTIC POLICY UNAFFECTED BERLIN, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.) The Official Spokesman declared that the pact was not extraordinary. It was only natural that Germany would strive to break through the eneirclers. “ The difference between our action and Britain’s,” he said, “ is that we are not concluding a pact with Moscow aimed against Britain, whereas England tried to conclude one aimed against Germany.” It is emphasised that the pact does not affect domestic policy. It is pointed out that Turkey is on excellent terms with Moscow, but does not tolerte a single communist at home.

IF GERMANY STRIKES —: “ NONE Will OPPOSE HER" LONDON, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.ni.) The Berlin correspondent of tlio Associated Press of Great Britain points out that Germany has non-aggression pacts with all of Poland’s neighbours. This means that none will oppose her if she decides to strike nt Poland. APPREHENSION IN FRANCE DISINCLINATION TO DISCUSS BOMBSHELL •• ALL IS MOT LOST YET " LONDON, August 22. There is the gravest apprehension in Paris, but a general disinclination to discuss the Soviet bombshell. Official circles froze up, while the ‘ Communist Huinanite ’ and the 1 Socialist P.opulairo ’ do not publish the Soviet pact decision, hut give prominence to the trade agreement between Russia and Germany, claiming it as a victory for Russia. ‘ L’CEuvre ’ declares : “ All is not lost if the Soviet’s action cures those Frenchmen who had a mania for mixing ideology with foreign policy.^ ‘ Action Francnise ’ demands immediate recall of the military missions. FRENCH MOBILISATION ADDITIONAL 400,000 CALLED UP

PARIS, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.) Approximately 400,000 additional French soldiers have been called up. It is expected that more will be mobilised later to-day. EMERGENCY CABINET MEETING HEW INSTRUCTIONS TO DIPLOMATS PARIS, August 22. (Received August 23, at 10.15 a.m.) An emergency Cabinet meeting lasted 90 minutes. It was announced that new instructions were being despatched to the French diplomats in European capitals. M. Daladier after that conferred with General Gainelin. NO MOBILISATION PLEDGES TO POLAND REAFFIRMED PARIS, August 22. (Received August 23, at 1.6 p.m.) There will be no mobilisation, but units may be recalled to the colours, bringing the army to tlie strength of 1,500,000 on a war footing. Ministers reassemble on August 24. Cabinet decided to reaffirm, in common with Britain, France’s military pledges to Poland, also to discover Russia’s intentions regarding the pact and take all appropriate military measures. SURPRISE TO BRITAIN CABINET FACES GRAVE SITUATION CROWDS GATHER IN WHITEHALL LONDON, August 512. It was stated on high authority that the pact came as a complete surprise to British Ministers. The consensus of opinion in Whitehall

is that a situation of the utmost gravity faces the Cabinet. Cro" ds gathered at Whitehall watching Ministers come and go.

SECRECY OF NEGOTIATIONS "END OF FRANCO-RUSSIAK TREATY" LONDON, August 22. (Received August 23, at 10.15 a.m.) The ‘ Daily Mail ’ says the pact completely surprised Whitehall. There had been occasional hints at the possibility of a Russian-German understanding, but the present negotiations, though concurrent with the AngloFrench and Soviet talks, were conducted in such secrecy that Britain was unaware of them. Tho ‘ Daily Mail ’ says it moans the end of the French-Russian treaty for mutual assistance. BRITAIN WANTS CLEAR DEFINITION OF PACT MOSCOW, August 22. (Received August 23, at 10.30 a.m.) Sir William Seeds conferred with M. Molotov in the evening. M. Naggiar conferred with M. Molotov earlier. It is learned that Sir William Seeds was instructed to ask M. Molotov for a clear definition of the pact. AMGLORUSSIAN TALKS TO CONTINUE NO FRESH INSTRUCTIONS TO AMBASSADOR (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.)

The Foreign Office Spokesman stated that Britain had no intention of discontinuing the talks with Russia. No fresh instructions had been sent to Sir William Seeds. Britain had no previous knowledge of the negotiations. The first intimation was a telegraphed copy of the communique issued'in Berlin, which arrived late last night. Soviet Embassy circles are of the opinion that there is no reason why Britain and France should abandon the Moscow negotiations. They declared that the clue to the Russo-German decision is to be found in the fact that the Kremlin has known weary months haggling with Britain and France. PARLIAMENT LIKELY TO BE RECALLED . LONDON, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.) Parliament is likely to be recalled on August 24. MILITARY CONVERSATIONS TO CONTINUE PARTS, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.) The Qua! d’Orsay announced that the military conversations with the Soviet would continue despite the RussoGerman pact. A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION ROME, August 22. (Received August 23, at 11.30 a.m.) Vatican quarters greeted the pact as a “ possible contribution to peace,” and welcome it for that reason. WELCOMED BY BALTIC STATES RIGA, August 22. (Received August 23, at 11.30 a.m.) The Baltic States’ newspapers welcome the Russian-German pact as a notable peace factor.