USELESS MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 10

USELESS MOVE

SPEECH CONDEMNED ALLIES UNSHAKEN SHOWER OF BOMBS - NAZI PRESS FOBECAST By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (.Received October 26. 5.5 p.m.) ' * LONDON. Oct. 25 Although the speech by the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, was delivered too late for comment in some morning newspapers, it was reproduced with headlines indicating their views on what is described as an extraordinary tirade against Britain, says a British' official wireless message. The Daily Telegraph says it completely travestied the events leading to the Allied declaration of war. The view taken by the Times is that von Kibbentrctp's charges that Britain prepared the .war are fantastic. The News Chronicle says the speech was calculated to have its greatest effect inside Germany, where there are fewer facilities for the checking of historical facts: "Nothing that von Ribbentro'p' said weakens the main count against the Nazis, that in pursuance of their ambitions they sabotaged all hope of peaceful settlement and time after time resorted to aggression in breach of their pledged word," it adds. "Nothing in the speech can alter the Allies' determination to redress the wrongs that the Nazis have done and free Europe from the recurring threat of arbitrary and unscrupulous attack.'" Opinion in France Several newspapers in France declare that the speech discloses the utter confusion of Nazi leaders. The attempt to. divide Britain and France is regarded as a clumsy and useless gesture. Le Petit Parisien says von Ribbentrop brought off the greatest lie of his life when he had the effrontery to declare that France would desire to conclude peace. La Victoire says that Hitler if- alone. He has disgusted Italy and Stalin despises him and Germany. "Pertinax" says the speeches of the Nazi leaders dishonour their country more than thoir crimes. No Comment in Italy The Italian press prints von Ribbentrop's speech without comment. Dutch observers in Germany consider that the speech was a great shock to the German people, who still hoped for peace.' Their fear of war is intensified'by gtorics of horrors which the troops have brought >back from Poland. Revolutionary sentiment is especially strong in Hamburg. The Rotterdam correspondent of the Times says, the most notable feature of von Ribbentrop's speech was that he did not claim any allies. The German people were never so plainly told that they stand alone. There was a world of difference between the references to Russia on this occasion and the boast to journalists when he went to Russia that Britain and France would have to face Germany and Russia if they did not accept peace.

OUTBIDDING NAZIS PURCHASES BY BRITAIN SCANDINAVIAN MARKETS 'CONTRABAND CONTROL TALKS British Wireless - LONDON, Oct. 25 Asked in the House of Commons today if, in order to prevent neutrals, especially Scandinavian countries, coming under German economic influence, he would consider what steps could be taken for Britain to acquire as large , a proportion as possible of the exports of these countries for consumption here or for resale on the world market, the Minister; of Economic Warfare, Mr. R. H. Cross, replied: "I have these considerations fully in mind, and certain purchases have already been made." Germany is now effectively cut off from nearly all her overseas sources of supply. That generally is the position as described by Mr. Cross, in reporting on the progress of contraband control. •'Discussions were recently opened with a number of neutral Governments on contraband control, and delegations from Iceland, Sweden, Holland and

Belgium are at present in London," the Minister said. "Conversations with other Governments are being conducted through diplomatic channels. These discussions aro proceeding in a friendly spirit, and "good progress is being made."

TRADE WITH RUSSIA BRITISH EXAMINATION A FRESH ARRANGEMENT British Wireleg? LONDON, Oct. 2fi The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. B. A. Butler, told the House of . Commons to-day that the possibility of following ,up the recent agreement with the Soviet Government for" the exchange of timber for rubber and tin by a fresh arrangement was now under examination. The arrangement would be suitable to war conditions.