GERMANY AND RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 November 1936, Page 7

GERMANY AND RUSSIA

HITLER’S DETERMINATION

“TO STAMP OUT REDS”

[BY CABLE —PBEBS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.)

LONDON, November 25.

Observing, according to the German Press, that whole Russian regiments are moving to increase the horrors in Spain, the Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says:—“Taking the situation there, together with the shocking - mistreatment of foreigners in Russia,"' it is not impossible to envisage Herr’Hitler concluding that it is time to stamp out the aggressive Red barbarians from Europe. “This raises.the question of Czechoslovakia, which, notwithstanding all denials by the Prague Government, is still featured-in the German Press as a prepared base for Soviet . air- operations against Germany. A line of action designed to dispose, once and for. all, of the dangers to Germany and European civilisation represented by Bolshevism, in Spain and Czechoslovakia of course involves risks; but these may soon be diminished by the western -world’s growing disgust with Bolshevist methods and, as seen in Berlin, by .growing internal tension in, France.”

INTIMATION TO BRITAIN.

LONDON, November 24

The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says it is learned that the German Ambassador to London, Herr von Ribbentrop, informed the Prime Minister (Mr Baldwin) dur. ing their conversation yesterday'.that Berlin would break off diplomatic relations with Russia if Stickling were executed. Mr Baldwin replied that such an open breach would, seriously prejudice the attempts to secure a new European peace system. The British Government's' views were being conveyed to Moscow. It is Revealed that Herr von Ribbentrop flew to Berlin at the weekend and saw Herr Hitler before meeting Mr Baldwin. He returned to Berlin by air yesterday to report, to Herr Hitler,

According to the political correspondent of the “Daily Mail” the.. Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) is doing his utmost to prevent a diplomatic break between Germany and Russia. OFFICIAL DENIAL

[BBITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] '

RUGBY, November 25.

A categorical denial is given in British official quarters to the published statement that Herr von Ribbentrop informed Mr. Baldwin that Ger- 7 many intended to break oa diplomatic relations with Russia, if Stickling were executed. PARDON BARGAIN. MOSCOW;. November :24. It is,reported that Russia, may free Stickling, the German engineer, who has been sentenced to death for sabotage. following the precedent of the British engineers in 1933, or use the prisoners to effect an exchange for Communists held in Germany’. STICKLINGJtEPRIEVED (Recd. Nov. 26, 1 p.m.). MOSCOW, November 25. Stickling’s deatn sentence was commuted to ten years’ imprisonment, but the eight' Russians charged with him were executed- ; ;

-later:

Eight Russians were charged, of whom Novkov, Shubin, Kurov, Lliashenko, Andreiov, and Peshekhonov were sentenced to death, while-- the death sentences on Kovalenko and Leonenko were commuted to ten years’ imprisonment, as an act of 'executive clemency.

MORE GERMANS ARRESTED. 5 * BERLIN, November 25

It is officially announced that four more Germans have been arrested in Russia —Boesherz, Schindler, and Stammer, who are engineers, and Schaeffer, director of an industrial concern—on charges of espionage and counter-revolution in the interests of Germany.

GERMAN-JAP AGREEMENT.

WAR ON COMMUNISM

(Received November 26, Noon).

BERLIN, November 25

It is officially stated that Germany and Japan have concluded an agreement against the Communist International.

The agreement will be operative in five months. It declares: The aim of the Communist International is a violation of all existing States, bj’ every means; also that Communism threatens world peace.

The signatories agree: Firstly to inform each other of all Communist activities, discuss co-operative defensive measures.; Secondly, to • invite other Powers to join the agreement.

An additional protocol pledges the signatories: Firstly, to "punish severely Communist operatives.- Secondly, establish a standing commission in order to decide the defensive measures.

The text of the agreement was announced to a meeting of foreign diplomats at the Wilhelmstrasse, to which the Soviet Ambassador was not invited. '

JAPANESE STATEMENT

TOKIO, November 25.

The Foreign Office issued a statement that the Japanese-German agreement is not directed against the Soviet Union. It. denies there is any other agreement behind it, or ' that the Japanese Government intends forming or joining any -international bloc, but it drastically condemns the. Comintern, which it says since its establishment has. engaged in activities menacing world peace. .

The statement adds'the Comintern last year decided, to ; organise.fa' unified front to oppose Fascism: arid- Imperialism, andmade.it clear.its future objectives were Japan, Ger(n‘:iny, and Poland. It .’ also resolved to-support the Chinese , Commtfnist . armies against Japan. The statement concludes: Japan desires to co-operate with as many Pow-

ers as possible'in defensive measures against the Cominternj menace, 1 but for that purpose'’alone. STALIN’S ADDRESS. , LONDON, November 25. The Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says M. Stalin is expected to reply to Jlerr Hitler’s anti-Soviet speechesXwhen.he presents the new constitution.to an “extraordinary. congress” to-n.ight. Fifteen hundred delegates from throughout the Soviets will attend. M. Stalin has not previously addressed, such a .congress. His speech is expected to last five hours and will be broadcast.

NEW. CONSTITUTION

(Recd. Nov. 26,'10.30 a.m.);.MOSCOW, November 25.

Stalin outlined to the All Union congress a new constitution creating, a Council of Union,. c’ortsifjting of members elected by the citizens on the basis of one for each three himdred thousand, and a Council of Nationalities, appointed by'the:Supreme Councils of the autonomous republics. The constitution guarantees, freedom •of .speech, freedom . pt s arrest except on 'secrecy’/Of' mails, and . the right do worship.; \ - . TROTSKY^fEXILE . . OSLO, November 25. „ Leon Trotsky’s permit to remain, in Norway-expires on December 18 and will not be renewed.. He has sent urgent: messages to friends abroad, urging them to do their utmost to obtain permission for him to proceed to another European country.