EUROPEAN CRISIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 8

EUROPEAN CRISIS

POLISH ARMY’S WAR SPIRIT. GERMAN AGENCY ALLEGATIONS. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Received August 25, 2.25 p.m.) BERLIN, August 24. The German Official News Agency has issued a statement that the war spirit of the Polish Army has reached a climax. The Polish Press is sounding the drum for an offensive war, and the army is hourly waiting the command to strike. In these circumstances, it is considered most probable that the Polish troops will lose, their nerve. In its reliance upon the help of the western democracies, the Government is no/longer master of the army decisions. Alarming reports are pouring in from all parts oi the country, leading to the sure conclusion that the local commanders are no longer obeying Warsaw’s orders, but are determined to march on their own responsibility. The statement is considered ominous, as it is almost identical to similar statements made prior to the German coups in Austria and Czechoslovakia. HERR FOERSTER’S STATUS. WARSAW, August 24. Official quarters are not concerned over Herr Foerster’s new status. It is stated that Poland would not agree to an Anchluss, but hereafter would not place difficulties in the way of the free cultural development of Germans in the Free City, provided Polish minority rights are respected In the light of these principles, the Government -considers that Danzig’s form of Government is of secondary importance.

The shops are crowded with people seeking gas-masks and commodities. The Government has broadcast, exhorting the population to keep calm. Adequate supplies will be available for all. It is impossible now to buy first-aid sets. “NEGOTIATION TOO LATE” BERLIN, August 24. Nazi comment on Mr. Chamberlain’s speech says: It contains nothing new. Mr. Chamberlain no longer speaks on behalf of the majority of the Great Powers. The statement that_ Poland is ready to negotiate comes Tbo late. We can only shake our heads regretfully. Lord Halifax and Mr. Chamberlain have not only shown not the slightest understanding of German rights, but have encouraged Poland to persist in hei* provocative attitude. CROWDED HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Received August 25, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 24. Confronted, as Mr. Chamberlain said, “with the imminent peril of war,” a crowded and hushed House of Commons listened to the Prime Minister’s momentous statement of the issues raised by 4 Nazi Germany’s actions and threats, and Britain’s determination to yield nothing to force. They heard from him that, in the communication made yesterday to Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden by Sir N. Henderson, it was made plain that “if the case should arise, Britain was resolved and prepared to employ without delay all the forces at her command,” and they cheered his final appeal that, in this critical hour, they should show the world that “as we think, so we shall fight—-as a united nation.”

With particular interest, Members heard, too, Mr. Chamberlain’s admission that Monday’s announcement of the Soviet-German non-aggression pact came as a complete surprise to Britain, and a “surprise of a very unpleasant. character.” The close attention with which his comments on this development, and his refusal, meantime, to pass final judgment on it, were followed, took on increased alertness as the Prime Minister passed on to speak of the false deductions that had been made in certain quarters, as to its effect on British policy, and the steps that had been taken to correct them, and to reaffirm in very deliberate terms the fidelity of Britain to her pledges.

MILITARY MISSIONS RETURNING MOSCOW, August 24. It is reported that the British and French Military Missions have obtained visas, and will leave to-morrow, probably via Finland, in order to avoid Germany. LONDON LIGHTS MASKED. LONDON, August 24. Hundreds of Londoners had difficulty in getting home last night, because large nuprbers of buses were held at their depots at the request of the War Office. The West End was in a sinistei’ly dark state. The departmental stores in the fashionable Regent Street and Oxford Street extinguished their lights. In the city, the all-night restaurants transferred their business to their basements. The shopkeepers and householders have been instructed to make arrangements to mask their lights. AIR-RAID SHELTERS LONDON, August 24. All leave to the metropolitan police has been cancelled, and those away are being recalled. Intensive work has begun on the construction of air-raid shelters at the principal hospitals. London's museums and art galleries have been closed, and national treasures are being removed to the country. All police and military leave in Palestine has been stopped. BANK RATE DOUBLED LONDON, August 24. The bank rale has been raised to four per cent. The rate had remained hitherto unebanged at two per cent, since June .‘lO, 19.32. The decision to raise the rate was the result of a heavy call for money on the banks. The rise is tantamount to placing the money market in the control of the Bank of England. Financial circles express the opinion that the raising of the bank rate is designed to discourage the withdrawal cl' foreign balances from London banks. The committee of the London Stock Exchange have decided to fix minimum prices for gilt edged securities.

GERMAN ORDERS HELD UP LONDON, August 24. . The “Daily Express” says: “It is estimated by dealers, that the British Government’s ban on the export of vital commodities will hold up 5,000 tons of copper and 3,000 tons of rubber. which are valued at nearly £5OO- - and which recently were purchased by Germany on the London market. These material have not yet been shipped. LINER SAILINGS CANCELLED LONDON, August 23. “Owing to Government requirements,” to-morrow’s sailings of the Union Castle liner Dunnottar Castle, from London to South Africa, has been cancelled. The sailing of the P. and O. vessel Viceroy of India from London, for a cruise, has also been cancelled. The authorities have prohibited sailings of North Sea trawlers, and those at sea are being recalled by radio. The sailings of two Italian liners for America have been cancelled. The Cunard-White Star Line has ordered the Ascania to return immediately from Canada, and she is sailing at midnight. ,