GERMAN-SOVIET PACT

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 9

GERMAN-SOVIET PACT

SEVEN MAIN PROVISIONS TO RUN FOR TEN YEARS BERLIN, August 24. It has been officially announced that the Russian-German Pact was signed in Moscow by Herr von Ribbentrop and M. Molotov in the presence of M. Stalin. The pact will run for 10 years. Article I. says the two contracting parities undertake to refrain from any act of force, any aggressive acts, or any attacks against each other or in conjunction with other Powers. Article 11. states that if one of the contracting Powers becomes the object of warlike action on the part of a third Power, then the other contracting Power will in no way support the third Power. Article 111. states that the Governments of the two contracting Powers will in future remain in consultation with one another to inform themselves on questions touching their common interests. Article IV. states that neither of the two contracting Powers will join any other group of Powers which directly or indirectly is directed against one of the two. Article V. says that in the event of differences or conflicts arising between the two contracting Powers on questions of any kind the two partners will solve their disputes and conflicts exclusively through a friendly exchange of views or if necessary through arbitration commissions. Article VI. states that the agreement is for the duration of 10 years, with the stipulation that unless one of the partners gives notice of its termination one year before its expiration it will automatically be prolonged. Article VII. states that the present agreement shall be ratified in the shortest possible time. The treaty will come into operation immediately after the signing. VON RIBBENTROP BROADCASTS “ EVERYTHING THE FUHRER DOES IS RIGHT " BERLIN, August 24. (Received August 25, at 10 a.m.) Herr von Ribbentrop, broadcasting, said: “Everything the Fuhrer does is right; consequently the German-Rus-sian Pact is the best thing for Germany. The Fuhrer mastered the previous crisis and will master this one.”

A news agency quotes Herr von Ribhentrop as saying: “Herr Hitler and M. Stalin have decided to be friends. The pact will prove a firm foundation on which Russia and Germany will build in close co-operation. This is one of the most important turning points in the history of the .two peoples. I am convinced that the pact will have a favourable effect on Russo-Japanese and German-Japanese relations.” OFFICIAL SOVIET COMMENT MOSCOW, August 24. The ‘ Izvestia 1 voices the official I Soviet opinion as follows: —“ The pact ends Russo-German hostility, which enemies on both sides tried to fan and perpetuate.” THE ITALIAN VIEW (Independent Cable Service.) ROME, August 24. ‘ II Messagero ’ says the pact does little to justify war measures being taken by democratic Powers. It adds that neither Britain nor France, nor even Poland is endangered. “It is reason itself which is endangered. We refuse to believe that an extreme step will be taken.”NAZISM AND BOLSHEVISM “ A SGAHDALOUS COMBINATION " PARIS, August 24. Among the few comments on the Moscow Pact, ‘ L’Epouque ’ denounces the scandalous collusion of Nazism and Bolshevism, and declares that a backward step is impossible unless the democracies want to be under Herr Hitler’s heel before next year. It concludes: “ Let us tell Hitler that if he wants war we are ready.” LEAVING MOSCOW BRITISH AND FRENCH MILITARY MISSIONS MOSCOW, August 24. (Received August 25, at 10.30 a.m.) It is reported that the British and French military missions have obtained their visas and are leaving tomorrow, probably via Finland in order to avoid Germany. HOLLAND ORDERS PRELIMINARY MOBILISATION AMSTERDAM, August 24. (Received August 25, at 10 a.m.) Holland has ordered preliminary mobilisation.