Notes on the News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 9

Notes on the News

Russia's Foreign Policy In the background of the AngioUussian negotiations is the Soviet’s foreign policy, formulated recently by M. Stalin as follows: "(1| We stand for peace and the strengthening of business relations with all countries. That is our position; and we shall adhere to this position as long as these countries inaiutain like relations with the Soviet Union, and as long as they make no attempt to trespass on the interests of our country. (2) We stand for peaceful, close, and friendly relations with all the neighbouring countries which have common frontiers with the U.S.tf.JL That is our position : and we shall adhere to this position as long ns these countries maintain like relations with the Soviet Union, and as long as they make no attempt to trespass. directly or indirectly, on the integrity and inviolability of the frontiers of the Soviet State. (3) We stand for the support of nations which are the victims of aggression and are lighting for the independence of their country. (4) We are not afraid of the threats of aggressors, and are ready to deal a double blow for every blow delivered by instigators of war who attempt to violate the Soviet borders. Such is the foreign policy of the Soviet (. nion. In its foreign policy the Soviet Union relies upon the good sense of the countries which for one reason or another have no interest in the violation of peace. The tasks of the party in the sphere of foreign poliev arc: - (11 To continue the policy of peace and of strengthening business relations with all countries. (2) To be cautious and not allow our country to be drawn Into conflicts by warmongers who are accustomed to have others pull the chestnuts out of the fire for them.” Royalty At The Bath Club Again attention hn.s been drawn to Thornton's clubland, this time by tlie news that Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose took part a day or two ago in swimming races at the Rath Club. One of London's fashionable soeial-cum-sporls clubs, the Rath is noted not only for swimming, but. also ns one of the bodies which exercise authority over the rules and customs of card games. The club is situated In Dover Street. Piccadilly, being next door to the Ladies’ Athenaeum, and in a building which was formerly the town house of the Marquis of Abergavenny.

London's Guildhall The Guildhall of the City of London, where the King was welcomed by the Lord Mayor and a distinguished gathering of commoners after his return last week from his visit to Canada and the United States, is one of the most interesting old buildings of the metropolis, and perhaps the most historic from a strictly civic point of view, it is difficult for a stranger to find the Guildhall unless he is accompanied by a competent guide. The average guide book is of little use. for the hall is half-hidden amid a nest of other larger buildings, and one might pass the entrance to its courtyard a dozen times without realizing that this was the famous meetingplace of the City Corporation and the scene of innumerable splendid banquets. At one rime the London County Council met at flic Guildhall, but in recent decades the Corporation has retained it more or less exclusively. The interior of the hall is lofty, and rich with aged oaken beams and carved panels. The atmosphere is more reminiscent of a church than of a business and banqueting hall, for there are stained glass windows, the lighting is dim. and the place is quiet and hallowed with tradition. Two huge and grotesque carved heads, like tin* figureheads of ships,

gaze down from the shadowed walls. These are Gog and Magog, replicas of two effigies destroyed in the Great Eire. The history and origin of the originals is not known with certainty, lmt they were believed to represent a race or giants that lived in ancient England. The Gog and Magog of today look silently down upon the modern giants—the magnates of London City—as they enjoy the fare of the famous Guildhall kitchens and pay homage to kingly visitors to their commercial realm. German Airman Shot Down Gdynia, where a German military aeroplane has been shot down by Polish coastal artillery, is a fortified port tucked into » corner of tin* Polish Corridor. just outside the boundary of tin* Free City of Danzig. Actually, it; is only 12 miles from the city itself. It is also a Polish naval base. During the struggle with Soviet Russia in 1020. the Poles were unable to use Danzig for either naval or military purposes, and this led them to build their own port. Thus Gdynia came into being. It is of considerable potential strategic importance. for, in the event of Poland being debarred from the use of Danzig, but continuing to bold the Corridor, the new port would he invaluable. It has berthage for 30 large steamers, and can handle more than 2.500,000 tons of cargo annually.