CAUGHT NAPPING

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 7

CAUGHT NAPPING

BRITISH MINISTERS SURPRISED PARLIAMENT TO ASSEMBLE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, August 22. The Soviet-German pact is a complete surprise for the British Ministers. The consensus of opinion at Whitehall is that a situation of the utmost gravity faces the Cabinet. Crowds are gathering at Whitehall, and are watching the Ministers come and go. Britain had no previous knowledge of the Soviet-German negotiations, according to the’Foreign Office spokesman. The first intimation of the pact was a telegraphed copy of the communique issued in Berlin, which arrived in London late last night. The Labour paper, “Daily Herald,” in a leading article, says: “The announcement of the Soviet-German Pact represents one of the most astounding and most shocking reversals of policy in history.

The “Daily Mail” says that the pact completely surprised Whitehall. There had been occasional hints of the possibility of a Russian-German understanding, but the present negotiations, though concurrent with the Anglo-French-Soviet talks, were conducted with such secrecy that Britain was unaware of them.

The “Daily Mail” says that the pact means the end of the French-Russian treaty of mutual assistance.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. LONDON, August 22. It is officially announced that Parliament. has been summoned for August 24. Both Houses will be asked to pass the Emergency Powers Defence Bill, enabling the Government, without delay, to take the necessary measures. The precautionary steps, meanwhile, include the calling up of certain personnel of the three Services and the A.R.P. EMERGENCY POWERS. (Received August 23, 1 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. The firm and dignified re-statement of Britain’s policy is expected to counteract widespread speculation and guesswork, and to re-establish confidence in the countries aligned in the peace bloc. The Emergency Powers Bill partakes somewhat of the nature of the Defence of the Realm Act. It empowers the Government to meet any emergency, acting, if necessary, without consulting Parliament, similarly to the French Government, which has almost dictatorial Powers. The Communist Party, in a statement, said that the pact represents a victory for peace and Socialism against Fascistic war plans and the pro-Fascist policy of Mr. Chamberlain, becauase it is the keynote of the peace front. The National Council of Labour will meet on August 23, and the Parliamentary Labour Party on August 24. BRITAIN’S WAITING POLICY. (E.'ceived August 22, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. August 22. Then' is an inclination in high daces to await a revelation from Moscow .is to what the Soviet has really committed herself, and whether it is true, as reported from Rome, that there.is a. clause bestowing liberty upon Russia to go to the assistance of any neighbour belonging to the pact who feels aggressed. OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND. (Received August 23, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 22. Cabinet has unhesitatingly declared that the Russian-German Pact would in no way affect the Government’s obligations toward Poland, which Britain is determined to fulfil. Cabinet decisions included the calling up of certain personnel of civil defence, and arranging to deal with certain matters affecting the export of essential materials and commodities. The British Government is of opinion that there is nothing in the Ger-man-Polish difficulties involving a European war. The Government is ready to create conditions of confidence, and adds: “If, despite all efforts, others insist on the use of force, the Government is prepared, and is determined to resist to the uttermost. Mr. Bruce called on Mr. Chambeilain, for the second lime, after the Cabinet meeting.

CAUTIOUS LONDON COMMENT. SITUATION REGARDED AS GRAVE. (Recd. August 23, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 22Britain has instructed its representative at Moscow (Sir William Seeds) to take steps to ascertain the bearing of the new negotiations with Germany on the Anglo-French-Soviet conversations. This development, naturally, in no way affects the guarantee which both Britain and France have given to .Poland'. The decision to have a full meeting of Cabinet, at the meeting of senior Ministers arranged lor to day, was taken last night, in view of the tension in Europe, and follow mg a prolonged consultation between Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax. The French Cabinet also met to-day, and there was also a meeting at Brussels of the Oslo Powers, summoned by King Leopold. These various, meetings may be regarded as indicative of. the gravity with which the recent developments are viewed. News from Germany of the concentration of forces on the Polish frontiers—it jf, estimated that 2,000,000 men are mobilised —represents an important threatening factor in these developments, and it is the genera'! belief that a major crisis is at band. It was in the light of this position that. Mr Chamberlain decided to call the full Cabinet into eon.su' l ation. The full significance of the surprise announcement that, Herr von Ribbentrop is dying to Moscow, io sign the paci, cannot yet be appreciated, and in informed quarters in London no (.•v.mment is offered on the subject. r i'his nows was received in London too late for general Press comment. The general, attitude that is taken, however, is on® of caution in the expression of views at this stage. In a calm but firm leading article,

the “Daily Mail” says: In view of the unparalleled international situation, which thus appea'rs to be created, caution counsels that we should await fuller details before considering the implications of this development.

There will be an emergency meeting of the National Council of Labour, to-morrow afternoon. No further meeting of Cabinet has been summoned, but Ministers have been asked to stand by. The Commons will meet at the usual time, on Thursday. A motion for the adjournment will be moved, and Mr Chamberlain will make a statement. He will be followed by MiGreenwood and Sir A. Sinclair. In the Lords, Lord Halifax will make a statement.

To judge by news reports reaching London from' European centres, the announcement of the proposed Ger-man-Russian pact at first gave rise to bewilderment everywhere—and not least in Germany, where, in view of the marked difference in emphasis in agency statements from Berlin and Moscow, and' the absence of an authoritative expression of the views of Russia herself, a host of varied and often-contradictory interpretations of this development, are in currency. While the critical situation in Europe compels the most-serious consideration of an event of this character, commentators everywb.ee obviously find difficulty in entirely suppressing light reflections, inspired by the spectacle of the author of the Anti-Comintern Pact hastening to the Soviet capital.

In most countries the tendency—fostered by the nasty, triumphant terms in which the forthcoming negotiations have been heralded in the German and Italian Press —to see the proposed pact as a reversal of Russian policy has given way, on consideration, to the realisation that that is far from being its only or most likely significance. This way of regarding- the matter derived strength from later agency reports from Moscow.

A message received in London, for example, attributes to* authoritative Soviet quarters the view that a So-viet-German non-aggression pact would be a serious step to ensure peace in Europe. Some circles are said to insist that such a pact would in no way be incompatible with a defensive alliance between the Soviet, England, and France. This indication of the official Soviet, view is regarded among journalists in Moscow as of the utmost importance, as revealing the undiminished desire of Russia to pursue the AngloSoviet negotiations to a successful conclusion. MR. GREENWOOD’S STATEMENT. LONDON, August 22. Mr. Greenwood, in a statement, said: I take a most-grave view of the international position. ( consider it. is the duty of all citizens to remain calm, steadfastly to withstand further acts of aggression, as the only way to maintain peace in Europe. It is not too late for sane counsels to prevail. The issue of peace or war rests with Herr Hitler. If the blow falls, our consciences are clean. lam sure that our people will face the future with confidence and determination. SMALLER POWERS PESSIMISTIC BUDAPEST, August-22. It is considered here that Poland’s fate is sealed. It is thought that the Western Powers now are unable to assist any of the small Powers in the east of Europe. A. Bucharest message stated: It is considered that Poland might as well lay cown her arms. A crisis is expected on Friday. STOCK EXCHANGE DEPRESSED. LONDON, August 22. . Business on the Stock Exchange is almost at a standstill. Jobbers have , marked down prices in all sections. Gilt-edgeds arc nominally two points below yesterday, many being at the lowest level since 1932. The Berlin Bourse- opened strongly.

(Other cablegrams will be found on Page 8).