PACT WITH RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 7

PACT WITH RUSSIA

ELATION IN GERMANY » SETBACK FOR DEMOCRACIES Poland’s Precarious Position Dramatic developments in Europe are expected, as a sequelAo the non-aggression pact reported to have been reached J 1" Germany and Russia, and there is a possibility a will present an ultimatum to Poland. The pact is regarded in Germany as a severe setback to Bntai and France, it being suggested that they will not be Prepare 0 carry out their guarantees to Poland. Britain, however has deZed her determination to fulfil her obligations, if the need anses, and Parliament has been summoned to assemble. Scepticism is expressed in the United States, as to t eJ a completion of the Russo-German pact, it being considered that the announcement may be another phase of the “war of nerves.

GENERAL SURPRISE

[RY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, August 22

Amid the general surprise created i by the announcement of the nonaggression pact between Russia and Germany, it emerges from German semi-official circles that its speedy conclusion has already removed the long-1 existing tension between Russia and j Germany. < The impending pact will doubtless j help to clear the international politi-1 cal atmosphere to the extent of mak-, ing the “encirclement” Powers more cautious in their policy towards Germany. The preliminary negotiations between Berlin ■ and Moscow ran concurrently with the British and French ne- j gotiations with Russia. j German circles are very optimistic; regarding the European reaction to the pact. They regard the pact as a double blow to Britain’s attempt to enlist Russia in the British-French encirclement policy. The Berlin correspondent of “The| Times” says well-informed Germans regard the development as removing all danger of war from Europe arguing that Britain has suffered a grave diplomatic defeat and will hardly now care to carry out her obligations to Poland. Therefore the German demands against Poland will be granted fully, and Britain will be obliged to make the best of the new situation and accommodate herself to the new order in Europe. It is emphasised that Germany has no intention of attacking Britain or her possessions, and if Britain shows common sense, an excellent understanding may be reached with the rulers of the Continent. In any case, it is asserted, Britain is now impotent to help Poland and 'must therefore make the best of a bad job which, however, in the German view, will prove a constructive step in the interests of world peace. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of America says wellinformed circles are unable to say how the pact between Russia and Germany will affect the Anti-Comintern Pact, under which Germany, Italy, and Japan pledged themselves to oppose international Bolshevism, but it is emphasised that all eventualities have been foreseen and German-Japanese relations have been taken into consideration. Basically,' Poland’s position appeared to be greatly weakened, for no matter what the western democracies might now arrange, Poland could not expect help from the east. PROVISIONS OF PACT (Recd. August 23, 9.45 a.m.) ROME, August 22It is reported that the Russian-Ger- ' man pact pledges abstention from attacking each other. Secondly, in the event of one party being the victim of an attack by a third party, the other party will remain neutral, and thirdly, in the event of either committing an act of aggression, the other may denounce the agreement. ANNOUNCEMENT IN MOSCOW' MOSCOW, August 22. All the Soviet newspapers publish, without comment, the news of Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit, which is surprising to the average citizen. Representatives of the Military Missions conferred this afternoon but did not meet the Russians. Herr von Ribbentrop will bring a staff of 32 advisers, who will be quartered in the house next door to the British Mission.. VON RIBBENTROP EN ROUTE BERLIN, August 22. Herr von Ribbentrop (Foreign Minister) accompanied by Dr. Gaus and Interpreter Schmidt, stays overnight at Koenigsberg, and arrives at Moscow to-morrow. It is expected that Russia and Germany each will maintain its own political philosophy, but it has been agreed to adjust their political relations. GERMAN VIEWPOINT BERLIN, August 22.

The German official spokesman de-p clared: Our pact, with the Soviet is] not extraordinary. It is only natural i that Germany should strive to break ] through her encirclers. The difference 11 between our action and Britain’s is I that we are not concluding a pact with I Moscow which is aimed against Britain whereas England tried to conclude at Moscow one aimed against Germany. , 1 It is emphasised that the pact does not affect German domestic policy. It is pointed out that Turkey is on excellent terms with Moscow, but Turkey will not tolerate a single Communist home. The British United Press Berlin correspondent says: The public here has been nonplussed at the news of theSoviet pact, which was published without any explanation, with eight-1 inch headlines. It is still generally believed that Herr Hitler will get what he wants without war, but theie is no doubt that the German nation would fight to the last man if necessary.

INCREASED DEMANDS LONDON, August 22. The “Daily Express’s” Berlin correspondent states he is informed that Germany's minimum demands in her conflict with Poland have now grown past those for Danzig and also for the Polish Corridor. They now include all of the territory which the ex-Kaiser lost to Poland after the war. It is claimed that in the event of a military conflict with Poland, the German troops would fight their way to the 1914 German frontier, and remain there “on the defensive. Even conservative German circles consider that all this territory would be recovered within five days from the beginning of hostilities without plunging the whole of Europe into war. More German Army reservists have been called up suddenly. “DEVELOPMENTS AHEAD” (Recd. August 23, 10 a.m.) BERLIN, August 22. 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 are interesting developments ahead.”

POLISH DEFENCES MANNED

(Recd. August 23, 11 a.m.) BETHUEN, August 22.

The Poles have manned their fortifications opposite the German border, and are constructing machine-gun pillars. Engineers are preparing to blow up the Netze River locks and Upper Silesian dams. ITALIAN ATTITUDE ROME, August 22. The newspapers give prominence to the Russo-Soviet 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 Italy’s demands against France. Signor Gayda says: Poland is isolated. The pact does not affect other agreements Russia may make, but it 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. SHOCK FOR WARSAW. LONDON, August 22. The Warsaw correspondent of the British United Press says the news of the Russian-German pact shocked Warsaw, where the first reaction was to wait and see what Britain and France proposed doing. Some express the opinion that it will mean the end of the British, French and Russian talks. Others point out that non-aggression pacts do not affect alliances, and recall that the alliance between Poland and France remained in force in spite of the non-aggression pact between Poland and Germany, which Herr Hitler subsequently denounced. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of America says it is understood that Signor Mussolini was fully informed of the negotiations for the pact between Russia and Germany, which he approved as likely to secure not only Germany’s aims against Poland, but also the satisfaction of Italy’s [ claims on France. The Berlin correspondent of the I “Daily Telegraph” says diplomatic obi servers 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 it necessary to pursue to inicrease Greater Germany’s power and strength. The Berlin correspondent of the Bri- ’ tish United Press says that the news of ' the pact spread like wildfire throughout Berlin, creating the greatest satisfaction everywhere. One comment was as follows: • “Poland is now trapped. The entire Polish question will prove another German walk-over, similai’ to Czechoslovakia.” Foreign diplomats were astounded.

They expressed the opinion that the pact would vastly strengthen Herr Hitler's hand, enabling him to press his anti-Polish campaign with renewed vigour. IL is even suggested that Poland might now be willing to negotiate on what she has hitherto steadfastly refused to discuss. M. Lipski. the Polish Ambassador to Germany, arrived at Warsaw at midnight in a special aeroplane from Berlin and immediately conferred with the Foreign Minister (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 food against emergencies. The British Consul-General (Mr. F. •Savery) conveyed a. message to Brill ish citizens in Poland advising them. I that while he does not wish to cause 'alarms he thinks the situation is such that they should leave Poland unless they have special reasons for staying. A later message from Warsaw says it is reported that Poland was not sup-

rised at the move 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 neve’- envisaged Russian help. POLISH PRESS QUIET WARSAW. August 22. Not a single report of an anti-Ger-man tendency appears in the Polish Press, which gives the impression nor. only that there is no tension as between Germany and Poland, but no questions at issue between them. The only comment on the Russo-German pact is as to what will become of the German-Japanese alliance.ULTIMATUM EXPECTED DANZIG. August 22. It is now hinted that, directly the Russo-German pact is signed, Germany will present Poland with a 24-hour ultimatum. Herr Foerster, addressing the German Jurists, said: “You will be able to say you were the last body to meet in the so-called Free City, which is nearing its end.” Herr Foerster was in excellent spirits. Dr. Frank said: “Herr Hitler by bringing Danzig to the Reich will lay a basis for a legal community of peaceful nations, and avert the danger of a war destroying Europe’s culture. The Allied and Associated Powers, which established Danzig, no longer exist.” The Danzig correspondent of the British United Press says: Leading Nazis here have declared that the Soviet German Pact undoubtedly will hasten the -realisation of Danzig’s demand to join the Reich. They said it would also greatly lessen possibilities of war arising out of a solution of the Danzig problem. [SOLATION OF POLAND LONDON, August 22. The British Associated Press Berlin correspondent points out that Germany has non-aggression pacts with all of Poland’s neighbours. The meaning of these is that none of Poland’s neighbours will oppose Germany if she decides to strike Poland. PAPAL BROADCAST POSSIBLE VATICAN CITY, August 22.

It is stated that the Pope is considering a world broadcast on peace on September 6. JAPANESE PLANS WRECKED ROME, August 22. The Japanese Ambassador is calling on Count. Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister). The Soviet-German pact, wrecks Japan's plans and also her adhetence to the axis. A Tokio message stated that Baron Hiranuma (Prime Minister) and Lieutenant General Itagaki have conferred on the new situation arising out. of the Russo-German pact. RUSSIAN DRIVE EXPECTED PEKIN, August. 22. Russia is expected to make a drive towards China now that she will be free in Europe. An opinion expressed is that Japan has learned a bitter lesson as to the value of anti-Comintern assurances. The Chinese expect strong Russian support. The Soviet already is sending rein- ' forcemeats to Manchukuo.