RETURN TO REICH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 7

RETURN TO REICH

GERMANS IN LATVIA.

HITLER’S INVITATION

SPECULATION AROUSED

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph .—Copyright. )

Received October 9, 11.30 a.m

LONDON, Oct. 8. The ‘Times Riga correspondent states Herr Hitler lias invited all the Germans in Latvia to return to Germany, involving 60,000 persons, the majority of whom have been rooted to the soil for generations. This means the liquidation of one of Germany’s oldest colonies.

It is understood that similar measures have been initiated in Esthonia and elsewhere, but it is hot certain whether the invitation includes the German colonies in Russia, tens of thousands of whose denizens attempted to flee from Russia a few years ago, but were most forcibly detained and redistributed throughout the Soviet territory. Pro-Hitler enthusiasts have welcomed the invitation. The exodus will begin immediately. German transport have already arrived at the seaports of Lienaja and Ventspils, where Russia has arranged to establish naval bases and garrisons. The official news agency said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister (M. Urbsys) returned to Moscow and was received by the Soviet Foreign Minister (M. Molotov).

RUSSIA’S DEEP GAME.

FORTIFICATIONS IN WEST,

DEALINGS WITH BALTIC STATES

NEW YORK, Oct. 7. Dir Otto Tolischus ,the. correspondent of the New York Times in Berlin, says that the inscrutable role of Russia isj emphasised when it is known that, simultaneously with broad hints of action against Britain in Tndia and Tran, Russia is rapidly' fortifying military positions on her entire western front from the Baltic to tho Black Sea. At the same time, although at least 50 divisions have been sent to Poland, the mobilisation is reported to be continuing. The purposes can only be guessed at. The extent of the dynamic rapidity with which Russia is moving in the Baltic region has caused consternation among the Baltic States, and Russia is also being very colscly watched by Germany, as Finland has always been regarded as Germany’s special interest in the Baltic Sea. FINLAND’S POSITION.

Mr G. E. It. Gedyo, the Moscow correspondent of the New York 'limes, says that Finland is a different proposition from the other Baltic States. There is even a possibility that she will refuse the Russian demands. Control of Finnish ports is less vital to the defence of the Soviet than that of Esthonian, Latvian and Lithuanian ports. Diplomatic circles are assured that Germany has vetoed pressure against Finland, insisting that Ftmand is not a Baltic but a Scandinavian State, and that Germany would not allow the Soviet influence to extend to Scandinavia. Even if this is true, it is doubtful whether Germany is in a position to lay down the law to the Soviet. There are many indications that the Soviet is better able to say the conditions under which the co-operation between Russia and Germany will continue. The recent references to the Anland Islands suggest the possibility that the Soviet will demand control of them, which is calculated to arouse the hostility of the whole of Scandinavia and therefore may not be pressed. Other demands will possibly be the establishment of a naval base at Helsinki or Hanko, or the control of the northern corridor from Barents to the sea at Petsamo, where there is an ice-free harbour with also valuable nickel deposits. At present the British have the concession for nickel, which is one of the Soviet’s most urgently needed war materials. TRADE PROSPECTS.

It is reported from Helsinki that the Finnish Government confirms that it has refused to diseuss political matters with Russia, but its Ambassador in Moscow is discussing trade matters. A later message from the Helsinki correspondent of the American Associated Press states that the Finnish Government has decided to send a representative to Moscow, but it is not certain to be the Foreign Minister. Finland has called up certain reservists as a precautionary measure to safeguard her neutrality. The Helsinki correspondent of the New York Times says political circles stress that Finland has for a long time made efforts to conclude a trade pact with Russia. The new initiative was taken after the war commenced, with a view to importing gasoline, salt, and foodstuffs which were not available because of the blockade. Hitherto the negotiations have ' been unsuccessful because the Soviet insisted on introducing political claims. It was reported iast spring that she demanded the lease of Lavansaari, Seiskari and Tytarsaari, which are unfortified but strategically important because of their proximity to Leningrad.

CZECH GOVERNMENT,

LONDON, Oct. 7,

The Daily Mail says that the exPresident of Czechoslovakia (Dr. Benes) has formed a new Government with headquarters in London. He will combine the offices of President and Prime Minister. M. Osutsky, the former Czech Minister in Paris, becomes Foreign Minister. He will remain in Paris in contact with the French Government.

: MASSACRE STORY. NEW YORK, October 8. The Budapest correspondent of the New York Times says that reports from refugees, which can be accepted with reserve, allege that a revolt in East Ukraine, organised by Germany, has resulted in terrorists massacring soldiers, officials and women and.children, and burning houses and crops. The terrorists, who were dressed in Polish uniforms advised fleeing soldiers to surrender their arms because the Hungarians would not permit their entry with arms, whereupon those unarmed were massacred.

TURKEY- STAYS NEUTRAL.

LONDON, Oct. 7,

The Rome radio broadcast what is described ) i an official statement issued in Ankara that Turkey would

remain neutral even if Russia entered the war. Any treaty with Russia would in no way affect the friendly relations between Turkey and Britain. NAZI-ESTHONIAN TRADE. BERLIN, Oct. 7. The official news agency says that the President of Esthonia (M. Pats) has consented to a new trade agreement between Germany and Esthonia. IMPROVED RELATION S. RUMANIA AND HUNGARY. BUCHAREST, Oct. 8. The' Rumanian Government has announced that it lias joined Hungary and Yugoslavia in simultaneously decreasing the armed forces at Yugoslavia’s suggestion. Rumania and Hungary have faced each other fully armed on the common frontier since early in 1939, but from now on only the customary garrison strength will be maintained.

RUSSIA AND POLAND. BRITISH VIEW. NEXT NAZI MOVE. LONDON, Sept. 26. The division of Poland has raised in many minds the question whether the British and French determination to rid Poland of her aggressors must now involve an ultimate campaign against the Russian aggressors. The general tendency of the answer given in official quarters is: “Not necessarily.” Signor Mussolini raised the question rather more bluntly when he accused Britain and France of discriminating between Herr Hitler and his Russian accomplice. ~ The official viewpoint appears to be that Britain is determined to rid Europe of a particular menace, which experience has shown cannot be dealt with except by force, but that other problems arising from it—for example, Russia’s action —might be susceptible to other means. It is held that the Russian action, however outrageous, is a secondary consequence arising from Germany’s original crime. Moreover, the Soviet had not been a party to Herr Hitler’s previous outrages, and has not shown itself essentially as an aggressive Power- —a characteristic shown by Hitler alone. When this evil has been crushed, it will be possible to adjust outstanding disputes, and also new ones that may develop in the course of the war. all by civilised methods of negotiation. It is pointed out that it is not yet apparent that the Soviet cannot be a party to such negotiation.