THE PACT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1939, Page 6

THE PACT

BRITISH REQUEST

FOR CLEAR DEFINITION,

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) MOSCOW, August’22

Sir William Seeds conferred with M. Molotov in -the evening. M. Naggier conferred with M. Molotov earlier. It, is. learned that Sir W. Seeds was was instructed to ask M. Molotov for a clear definition of the pact. AWAITLNP declaration. (Received this day at-10.10 a.m.) . LONDON, August 22.

There is an inclination in high places to await the revelation, from Moscow, to what- the Soviet has really commit-, ted herself, whether it is'true, as reported from Rome, that there is a clause bestowing liberty to Russia to go to the assistance of any neighbourbelonging to the pact, who feels aggressed.

MANNING THE DEFENCES

(Independent Cables)

(Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) BETHUEN, August 22. Poles have manned the fortifications opposite the German border, and aie constructing machine-gun-pillars. Engineers are preparing to blow up Netzo river locks and upper Silesian dams. ITALY UNINFORMED. J:i (Independent Cable). (Received^ this day at 11.27 a.m.). LONDON, August 22. The “Evening Standard's” diplomatic correspondent states, on the highest authority, that Germany did not inform Italy of the proposed pact with Russia, MOSCOW VIEW. (Received this dav at 11.27 a.m.). MOSCOW, August 22. Authoritative quarters say the pact is a step to insure peace. It is insisted it is in no way incompatible "with the Britisb-French-Russian defensive alliance. VATICAN OPINION. (Received this day at 11.27 a.m.). ROME, August 22. Vatican quarters greeted the pact as a possible contribution to peace, and welcome it for that reason. A PEACE FACTOR. (Received this day at 11.27 a.m.). RIGA,; August 22. Baltic States newspapers welcome the Russian-German Pact as a notable factor. GERMAN NAVY OUT. (Received this dav at 11.27 a.m.). LONDON, August 22. German warships are reported off the Danish coast carrying out mine-laying exercises. • Sweden has ordered her second submarine squadron, which was due to visit. * Ostend, to remain in home waters. Warships are reported to have arrived in Danzig at frequent intervals.

ORDERED TO POSTS. STOCKHOLM, August 22. Swedish ministers abroad are ordered to abandon their holidays and return to their posts. GERMAN VIEWPOINT. , BERLIN, August 22. It is semi-officially stated that the. pact represents a permanent European realignment, and is not a mere tactical manoeuvre. It is an event of immense historical importance, decisively affecting long-term German-Rus-sian relations. POLAND'S VIEWS. WARSAW, August 22. The pact does not modify the attitude of the Government- an iota, and does not change the strategic plans in the event of war. The presence of a Russian or German army in Poland is being regarded as equally menacing. Poland merely relies on raw materials from Russia, which the pact, it is believed, does not affect.

FRENCH RESIDENTS

TO LEAVE GERMANY

LONDON, August- 22.

Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says the French Ambassador has requested French residents to leave Germanv.