NAZI-COMMUNIST PACT

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1940, Page 7

NAZI-COMMUNIST PACT

AS FIRM AS EVER Germany Assured OF EASTERN SECURITY. SOVIET PREMIER REITERATES POLICY [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] MOSCOW, August IM. Molotov, Soviet Prime Minister and Commissar of Foreign Affairs, in an address to the Supreme Soviet C' i ncii, defined the policy of the Soviet. He strongly reaffirmed Soviet neutrality, and declared that Russia would not participate in the war

M. Molotov stated that the RussianGerman pact was still operating, and all British efforts to weaken it had failed. The Russo-German Pact was not only economically significant, but it also assured German security in the East. Recent events had improved Russian-German relations

PACT TO BE. FURTHER DEVELOPED?

M. Molotov, continuing, declared that the relations of Russia and Germany remain wholly as laid down in the Russian-German agreement The Soviet had strictly observed the agreement, which removed the possibility of Russian-German friction when Soviet measures were carried out along our western frontiers, ana simultaneously assured Germany of security in eastern Europe. Far from reducing the strength of the RussianGerman non-aggression pact, Eur-<-pean developments emphasised the importance of its existence, and its further development. SOVIET’S ROLE IN EUROPE. M. Molotov reviewed the German military operations, culminating m the overthrow of France. France bad obtained an armistice. She had not yet obtained peace. Bad military preparedness was clearly not the onr. cause of France’s exceptional weakness. Considerably important also was the fact that leading circles In France, unlike those in Germany, han treated too lightly the role ana weight of the Soviet in European ai* fairs. Recent events had demonstrated even more than that. They had shown that the ruling circles m France were not connnected with th e people. Far from relying on their support, these leaders fearer; their people, who were deservedly famed as lovers of liberty. France was now confronted with th» difficult task of healing her wounds, a task which could not be realised by old methods. BETTER RELATIONS WITH FASCISTS.

Ml Molotov, continuing, said that it was noteworthy that RussianItalian relations had lately improved. The exchange of views revealed every possibility of Russia and Italv disusing mutual understanding in foreign policy, also extending trade relations. BRITAIN IN GREATER DIFFICULTY.

Referring to Britain, M. Molotov stated that Anglo-Russian- relations had not materially changed in recant weeks. The appointment of Sir a. Cripps possibly reflected a British desire for an improved Anglo-Russian understanding. He pointed out that Britain was relying on th e assistance of the United States, in continuing the war against Germany. After the British anti-Soviet tendencies, there could be little chance of improving Anglo-Russian relations Th e British Government interpreted Herr Hitler’s peace appeal on July 19 as a demand for Britain’s capitulation, and replied that it was continuing the war until victory was achieved. M. Molotov continued: “Britain not wish to giv e up her colonies, and declares that she will, continue the war for world supremacy, despite the fact that th e defeat of France, ana Italy’s entry in the war involve considerably greater difficulties for Britain. SOVIET FRIENDSHIP FOR GERMANY. The foreign Press, particularly the British and Anglophile Press, ha.ately frequently speculated on the possibility of Russian-German disagreements, attempting to intimidate us by the prospect of Germany s might. We ourselves "and Germany hav e exposed these attempts, and have swept them aside as worthless. We reiterate the opinion that Russia and Germany’s good-neighbourly ana friendly relations are not based on fortuitous and transient considerations, but on the fundamental interests of both countries. ” AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. M. Molotov said: “I cannot say anything good on Russian-American relations. The Imperialist conflict may spread the war. to the Wcsterii Hemisphere. The question of redistribution of colonies may turn the war into a world conflagration. Tim end of the war is not in sight, but is probably on the eve of a more intensive phase BALTIC STATES ANNEXATION.

M. Molotov continued: “The incorporation of Estonia. Latvia, Lithuania, Bessarabia, and Northern Bukovina, increased the Russian population by ten million. ' “The transfer of the Soviet, frontiers to the Baltic coast is a fact of primary importance to our country,” said M. Molotov. “We will henceforth possess ice-free ports in the Baltic, of which we have great need.” The future of Russian-Finnish relations depend on Finland, said M. Molotov. He warned certain circles in Finland to discontinue attacks against those supporting friendly Russian-Finnish relations. “Russia is expecting to sign a trails agreement with Sweden “Russian - Roumanian I’elations henceforth should follow a perfectly normal course. TURKEY SUSPECTED. Russian-Turkish, relations, he said, were unchanged substantially, bui

the German White Book indicated that Turkey had engaged in antiSoviet action. ?■ ' ' “Russia’s relations with the free Chinese republics are of the best. An improvement, in . relations with Japan is possible', but the new Japanese Government’s foreign policy is not very clear. Dig at America SPREAD OF WAR PREDICTED. (Received August 2, 9.0 p.m.). MOSCOW, August 2. The Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Commissar, M Molotov, m his speech to the Soviet Supreme Council, dealt with the question of colonies. He remarked: “France, Belgium and Holland all have large colonies. They cannot now defend those colonies as strongly as they could previously. “The question of the distribution of colonies is, therefore, becoming more acute. Imperialist appetites have been whetted, not only in Japan, but also in the United States. In the United States there are covetous amateurs who are dissimulating their imperialist plans under a banner of anxiety for interests in the Western Hemisphere. “All of this theatens to convert this war into an imperialistic world war. The Soviet, therefore must be keenly vigilant regarding <ts external security, while strengthening all of its internal and external positions.” PAN SALV IDEA? MOSCOW, August 2. M. Molotov, in his speech, said that the Soviet’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia must he particularly emphasised. He added: “Our relations with Bulgaria are normal.”