ITALIAN PRESS OPINIONS

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

ITALIAN PRESS OPINIONS

WAY STILL OPEN FOR NEGOTIATION DEMANDS ON FRANCE MAY BE PRESSED ROME, August 22. (Received August 23, at 8 a.m.) The newspapers give prominence to the Russo-German pact. The ‘ Popolo di Roma ’ claims that Danzig should not be confused with the question of Polish independence. It says the situation is still open for negotiation. It is stated in Fascist circles that Signor Mussolini is expected to press his demands against France. DR GAYDA'S COMMENT EAST MEDITERRANEAN ALSO AFFECTED ROME, August 22. (Received August 23, at 10 a.m.) Dr Gayda says Poland is isolated. The pact does not affect other agreements Russia may mate, but does exclude the possibility of Russia being dragged into operations against Germany. This affects not only Poland but the East Mediterranean, where the policy of encirclement is especially intense.

ITALY NOT INFORMED (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, August 22. (Received August 23, at 11 a.m.) The ‘ Evening Standard’s ’ diplomatic correspondent states on the highest authority that Germany did not inform Italy of the proposed pact. POLAND KNEW PACT NOT A SURPRISE NO Afrn-GERMAN PRESS TENDENCY WARSAW, August 22. It has been reported that Poland was not surprised, as more than once it had been pointed out that the Soviet did not desire to involve herself in European affairs. Other countries might have spared themselves disappointment if they had heeded the Polish views. It is stated that the Polish programme and policy never envisaged Russian help.

Nat a single reoprt of an antiGerman tendency appears in the Polish Press, which gives the impression that not only is there no tension between Germany and Poland, but that no questions are at issue between them. The only comment on the pact is: “ What has become of the GermanJapanese alliance?” The British United Press Berlin correspondent says the public was nonplussed by the news, which was published -without explanation in eightinch headlines. It is still generally believed that Herr Hitler will get what he wants without war, but no doubt the nation would fight to the last man if necessary. POLES MAN FORTIFICATIONS PREPARING TO BLOW UP RIVER LOCKS (Independent Cable Service.) BETHUEN, August 22. (Received August 23, at 10.30 a.m.) The Poles have manned the fortifications opposite the German border, and are constructing machine gun pillars. Engineers are preparing to blow up the Netze River locks and the Upper Silesian dams.

BRITISH CITIZENS ADVISED TO LEAVE WARSAW, August 22. Count Lipski, the Polish Ambassador, arrived at midnight in a special plane from Berlin and immediately conferred with Colonel Beck. The Government in the early hours discussed the situation in view of the reported non-aggression pact. The Press advised the public to store a fortnight’s supply of food against emergencies. The British Consul-General conveyed a message to British citizens in Poland, advising them that while he does not wish to cause alarm, he thinks the situation is such that they should leave Poland while communications are still good, unless they have special reasons for staying.