GERMAN DESIGNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 16

GERMAN DESIGNS

PACT WITH THE SOVIET ANTI-BRITISH MINISTER VON RIBBENTROP'S HATRED LONDON. June 20 Germany's indecision regarding Russia is said to bo duo to the opposing views held by Hcrr Hitler and his Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop. The latter's fierce hatred of Britain must remain a powerful factor in future developments, says the Manchester Guardian's diplomatic correspondent. This hatred the correspondent describes as "excluding all other hatred, even hatred fo- the Jews." Moreover, there is tho sinister fact that von Ribbentrop is pressing Hitler hard for a German-Russian alliance. Tho German army's opinion appears to bo that Germany would lose if Russia adhered to a military allianco with Britain and France; hence, Germany's great effort to prevent an Anglo-Russo-French pact is easily understandable.

Tho correspondent thinks that a Gorman-llussian understanding would have been achieved long ago but for Hitler's intenso personal hostility to tho Soviet. Stalin's dictatorship, he adds, is moro absolute than Hitler's, and Stalin tried to secure a Russo-German understanding when Hitler cam© to power, but was rebuffed. The correspondent goes on: "The German military chiefs support von Ribbentrop's bid for a German-Russian rapprochement and, judging by tho absence of hostile reference to Russia in Hitler's speeches, the Fuehrer is relenting."

FRANCE AND TURKEY TERMS OF NEW PACT SIGNING IN TWO CAPITALS (Received June 23, 0.35 p.m.) PAEIS, Juno 23 When Franco signs tho pact with Turkoy she will declare that she will not relinquish Syria except to tho Syrians themselves, but will return The Hatay (Sanjak of Alexandretta). Turkey agrees to defend the moral and material interests of Franco in that area and to abstain from all claims to, or propaganda in, Syria. Tho pact will bo signed simultaneously in Paris and Angora to-day. French troops aro already evacuating Tho Hatay.

CZECH STEEL WORKS TAKEN OVER BY GERMANS (Received Juno 23, 0.35 p.m.) PRAGUE, Juno 23 A German firm has taken over Rothschild's iron and steel works .at Witkovitz, the largest in Bohemia and Moravia. A decree has been issued dismissing Jewish employees. Tho Army and Air Forco monument at tho Focli barracks was ordered to bo torn down.

DEFENCE OF BELGIUM (Received Juno 23, 5.5 p.m.) BRUSSELS, Juno 22 Tho Foreign Affairs Committee, by 8 votes to .3, favoured tho resumption of military talks with tho British and French General Staffa.