ANGLO-FRENCH PLEDGE

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1939, Page 8

ANGLO-FRENCH PLEDGE

Not to Bomb Civilians OR USE POISON GAS. (Received September 4, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 3. The following has been issued for publication:— The Governments of Britain and France solemnly and publicly affiim their intention, should war be forced upon them, to conduct hostilities (portion of message obliterated byaerial discharging) of their armed forces,— prohibiting the bombarding, whether from air or sea, or by- artillery on land, of any except objectives of ‘ strictly-defined military importance; and in particular urban areas situated outside of the battle zone. They will, furthermore, make every effort to avoid the destruction of localities or buildings which are of value to civilisation. As regards the use of naval forces, including submarines, the two Governments will abide strictly by the rules laid down in the Submarine Protocol of 1936, which have been accepted by nearly all civilised nations. Further, they will only employ their aircraft against merchant shipping at sea in conformity with the recognised rules applicable to the exercises of maritime belligerent right by warships. Finally, the two allied Governments reaffirm their intention to abide by the terms of the Geneva Protocol, 1935, prohibiting the use in war of poisonous or other gases, and bacteriological methods of warfare.

An inquiry will be addressed to Germany- as to whether she is prepared to give an assurance to the same effect. It will, of course, be understood that in the event of the enemy not observing any of the restrictions which Britain and France have thus imposed on the operations of their armed forces, these Governments reserve the right to take all such action as they may consider appropriate. . IS GERMANY HYPOCRITICAL? . (Received September .3. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sent ember 2. The Foreign Office issued a join' declaration statins? that the British and French Governments solemnly affirm their intention, should war be forced, upon them, to conduct hostilities with the firm desire to spare the civilian population, and to preserve all monuments of civilisation for which reason they' welcomed Mr Roosevelt’s. appeal regarding air bombing. Herr Hitler’s reply' to Mr Roosevelt says: The non-bombing of military' obieetives accords v : /h mv viewpoint. Therefore I agree unconditionally to the proposal that Governments participating in the present hostilities give a public declaration to that effect. I alread” have ordered act or to be restricted to militarv objectives, but' continuance of this order depends on compliance by opponents. At Warsaw the Polish Govern has stated that the Polish cVli"’losses have already 7 made German’- ’■ compliance with Mr Roosevelt’s request doubtful. The Berlin radio announces that Herr Hitler has decreed the reinh'o duction of the bestowal of an iron cross and has created a new “Knigh Class” of it. replacing an “Order Pour La Merite,” hitherto the highest German honour for bravery on the field.

SLOVAK PROTEST. AGAINST GERMAN INVASION LONDON, September 2. The Polish Embassy here states that the Slovak Minister at Warsaw has sent a letter to Colonel Beck (Polish Foreign Minister) on behalf of the Slovaks, “who” he says, “under German pressure, are gage ( ] and made me tools of German intrigues. I protest against the brutal disarmament of the Slovak Army, and the arbitrary occupation of Slovakia for use as a base for military action against a friendly nation. The Slovaks at home and abroad associate themselves with armed’ resistance against Germany, and ask Poland and her allies to support the struggle of the Slovak people to defend their honour and 'ndependence.” POLISH MINISTER LEAVES BERLIN. BERLIN, September 3. M. Lipski has left Berlin. The Germans declare that this terminates the relations between Germany and Poland. PARIS, September 1. The French Government in a broadcast placed the blame for the outbreak of hostiliites on Germany. ANGLO-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP. (Received September 3, 7.30 p.m.) ANKARA, September 2. The British Ambassador gave the Ineunu Turkish President, a personal > message from King George, stating Ke was profoundly satisfied to know that the two peoples were bound in ties of friendship. President Ineunu replied: “In this difficult period, I feel equal satisfaction that bonds of friendship are strongly uniting Turkey and Britain/ (Received September 3, 7.30 p.m.) ISTANBUL, September 2. i Following a meeting of Cabinet, it is reported that President Ineunu assured the British Ambassador of Turkey would remain faithful to . the peace front On the side of Britain and France. This is assumed to be a reply to Captain Von Papen’s visit. NEUTRAL COUNTRIES.

(Received September 4, 12.5 a.m.) HELSINKI, September 1. M. Erkko, Finnish Foreign Minister, stated all the northern countries were united in a determination to preserve their neutrality. BERNE, September 1. Switzerland has decreed a general mobilisation for Friday. GERMAN WARNING TO NORWAY. OSLO, September 2. Germany has informed Norway she will under ho circumstances infringe on her inviolability and integrity, but she naturally expects absolute neutrality from Norwav and no toleration or anv breach by a third power. NEW'YORK, September 2. The > Oslo correspondent of the Associated Press of America says King Haakon proclaimed Norway’s absolute neutrality. The correspondent of the same agency in Helsinki (Finland), says President Kyotsi Kallio issued a decree as ' follows: “During the war that has arisen between Germany and i Poland, Finland will observe complete I neutrality.”