RUSSIAN STATEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1939, Page 7

RUSSIAN STATEMENT

PACT TO BE NULLIFIED

IN EVENT OF AGGRESSION [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] (Received August 24, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. A North American Newspaper Alliance special despatch from Moscow states: Russian officials emphasise that a clause is being inserted, whereby the pact will be nullified in the event of either signatory attacking a third Power. The Russians want to indicate that the pact does not automatically give Herr Hitler an opportunity for a policy of “squeeze” against Poland. ■ They also wish to dispel ideas that Germany is now at liberty to attack Poland.

M. MOLOTOV EMBARRASSED PARIS, August 23. The Foreign Office has issued the following statement: M. Molotov was “very embarrassed,” when M. Naggiar called for an explanation of the RussoGerman pact. It is not stated whether M. Molotov’s reply is regarded as satisfactory. M. Daladier, in a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the National Defence Council, announced that France was calling up a supplementary contingent of reservists to colours, to complete partial mobilisation. RUSSIAN PUBLIC IN DARK. LONDON, August 23. Herr von Ribbentrop arrived in Moscow at 1 p.m. local time. He is seeing M. Molotov at 3 p.m. The Russian public are entirely ignorant of the boiling up of the European cauldron. The Russian Press has not mentioned Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit to Moscow, nor the recall of the British Parliament, nor the general fears of war. MOSCOW NEGOTIATIONS. PARIS, August 23. It is stated that the Three-Power negotiations are not being broken off, but the military conversations might be suspended for a few days. M. Daladier met the chiefs of the armed forces. REQUEST TO SOVIET. LONDON, August 23. The Exchange’s Paris correspondent says that the Government has sent a fresh instruction to M. Naggiar, to seek from M. Molotov an affirmation that, in the event of international complications, Russia will be ready to conclude an agreement, provided Poland accepts unconditional help from Russia. M. Noel has been instructed' to secure the necessary assurance from Poland.