SOVIET NEUTRALITY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1939, Page 7

SOVIET NEUTRALITY

REAFFIRMED BY M. MOLOTOV

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ALLIES

[by OABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd. November 7, 11.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, November 6.

, M. Molotov, in a speech on the occasion of the celebration of the twenty-second anniversary of the Revolution, reaffirmed Soviet neutrality, saying: “No effort to draw'Russia into the war can succeed.’’ ,

He added that the war was constantly spreading, and accused England and France .of seeking to extend their influence to the Balkans and Scandinavia, for the purpose of increasing their own colonial possessions. ,

M. Molotov hinted that the passage < of the United States Neutrality .Bill} was a screen-for eventual participa-1 tion by the United States'in .the war. “Only the Soviet Union isconsistently keeping peace,” he declared. He. accused the United States’r'pf-“warming its hands near the fire. , The' Neutrality Act was only a mask, with which to cover the struggle for profit. ■■■■:. ...

The collapse of internal conditions in the bourgeois countries had . forced them to seek a way' out of the situation in foreign Adventures,- the seizure and spoliation of foreign lands and colonies, and new re-divisions of the world by war. .. . After asserting that' there was danger of ‘European and’ Asiatic wars expanding into world-wide conflicts, M. Molotov contrasted' this “imperialistic policy” with the Soviet Union’s “consequent policy of peace,” adding that the power and authority of the Soviet Union were becoming more and more evident.

The annexation of East Poland was one of the greatest successes of the Soviet Union’s- foreign policy. The Soviet Union would remain faithful to the policy of peace and proletarian internationalism. Capitalists and their socialistic assistants could not be expected to renounce the war voluntarily. The Soviet desired to bring the war to an early end. He added: “The growth of our inner strength and international authority is a sacred duty. The Soviet Union remains unshaken. It has increased its territory., and will become still more terrifying to our enemies.”

COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

The Communist official manifesto, in commemoration of the anniversary of the revolution, hails the RussoGerman Pact as preventing the warmongers from involving in war Russia and the Danubian and Balkan States. It omits all reference to Fascism, though it is stated that Germany, besides England and France, is fighting for world hegemony. The customary expressions of sympathy for China and condemnation of the “Japanese plunderers” are absent. The workers of the world are urged to fight against the Imperialist war, and to adhere to the cause of proletarian internationalism. It adds that the American bourgeoisie is enriching itself under the pharasaical mask of neutrality, enabling. the munition kings to reap huge profits. The Italian bourgeoisie awaits a propitious moment to hurl itself against the loser, and to claim a share of the victor’s spoils. The manifesto demands the organisation of a new united front against war, restricted exclusively to the workers and not supported by the Socialists and the bourgeoisie.

SOVIET AND FINLAND.

NEGOTIATIONS DELAYED

LONDON, November 6. The negotiations' between Finland and the Soviet have, ceased in the meantime. ' ' It is understood that new instructions are awaited by the Finnish delegation. The Moscow ■ correspondent of the Associated ..Press, of Britain .reports that the negotiations probably will remain suspended during .three days, as the celebration of the- twenty-second annivers.ay of the •_ Red. Revolution, commencing to-day, will be. continued for three, days. . , . •. ...

DEMANDS -.REDUCED?

(Recd. Nov,. 7, 2.45 p.m.). ' ■ ■ . ROME, November 6.

The Rome radio understands that Russia has . reduced her original demands against-Finland, which induces a more-sanguine belief of an eventual settlement. Finland, however,' is adamant'against'ceding Hanko.

ATTITUDE OF SWEDEN.

LONDON, November 6.

The Stockholm ■ correspondent, of “The Times” says that the entire Swedish Press rebuts the charges by “Pravda” concerning Sweden’s attitude towards the Finnish problem. ' " • The newspapers," he says, declare that Swedish politicians Will not take orders from “Western masters” or anyone else outside Sweden. • ■

ANTI-BOLSHEVIK NAZIS ’

LONDON, November 6.

Germany is negotiating at Moscow. It is suggested that Herr Hitler will agree to M. Stalin’s conditions to secure assistance.

In Germany, it is reported, leading Nazis have been charged *on the ground that :they.' are anti-Bolshevik, or are not sufficiently pro-Bolshevik.

GERMAN MINEFIELD

ENTRANCE TO BALTIC CLOSED'

(Recd. November 7, 12.30 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, November 6.

The extension of the German minefield off Falsterbo, has virtually closed the entrance to the Baltic, and’ is perturbing Swedish shipowners, because the unmined waters are only enough for lightly-lladen vessels. For this reason shipments must be made from the west coast, involving railway charges.

Sweden has protested to Germany against the extension of the. minefield.