EASTERN EUROPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 9

EASTERN EUROPE

THE GERMAN PLANS POLAND REASSURED "NOT DIRECTLY HOSTILE" (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 11. (Received Jan. 11, at 6.30 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Warsaw correspondent states that Colonel Beck was reassured that Germany's plans for Eastern Europe are not directly hostile to Poland, which is interpreted to mean that they will not be hostile to Poland in the early stages. He adds: "Assuming that Mr Chamberlain's Rome visit does not cause a drastic revision, Herr Hitler intends to extend Germany's political and economic influence towards the Soviet frontier, but not across Poland, Latvia, or Estonia. It seems to be assumed that Germany's East European plans can be realised by strong diplomacy, backed by the German propaganda machine, with Herr Hitler protecting the rear by an air pact with Britain and France. The Times Bucharest correspondent says that Count Ciano, Colonel Beck, and M. Stoyadinovich will meet in Belgrade shortly, and may conclude a " gentlemen's agreement" between Italy,' Hungary, Poland, and Jugoslavia, which they will substitute for the Rome protocol. He adds that Rumania is anxious to check German expansion to the south-east, and therefore is in favour of the agreement. AMBASSADOR'S REPORT CHAOTIC CONDITIONS, WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. Members of the Congressional Committee, after hearing Mr Joseph Kennedy (Ambassador in London) and Mr William Bullitt (Ambassador in Paris), disclosed to press interviewers that the Ambassadors drew a picture of utterly chaotic conditions in Europe, with the warning that Germany possessed an air strength greater than any two other nations, and was building 1000 planes a month, with plans for further expansion. There were also indications that Mr Bullitt and Mr Kennedy believe that Germany will soon start pressure on Poland and Rumania in order to open a corridor to the Soviet and the Ukraine, and that they reviewed before the committee the possibilities of a general war in Europe. One member, commenting on the hearing, said: "The British Empire and France are facing a crisis." THE ONLY HOPEFUL ELEMENT TIME TO BUILD ARMAMENTS WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. (Received Jan. 12, at 1.45 a.m.) It is clear that the disclosures by Messrs Kennedy and Bullit had a profound effect upon congressional committees, while individuals reacted according to their personal views. The isolationists, for instance, complain that an attempt is being made to stampede Congress into huge air appropriations, but the majority were impressed with the need of preparedness. Senator Bridges, a Republican, commented: " The testimony changes my opinion that Britain and France let Czechoslovakia down. There is grave danger of a major war in the spring." The isolationists commented: " Europe's in a mess/' Senator Reynolds summed up their view in expressing the opinion that the administration was moving towards a policy that will find America largely equipped with aircraft and able to supply Britain and France. The first practical outcome of the disclosures was the announcement by Chairman May, of the House committee, that he was seeking to include in the Defence Bill provisions for the military training of 300,000 boys, and four lane highways along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expedite the transport of motorised forces. Both ambassadors stressed the danger of Germanv establishing air bases in South America. They stated that the only helnful element in the situation was the prospect that Germany was making a drive to the Ukraine, which might give Britain and France the time to build up armaments.

The American Institute of Public Opinion stated to-day that the great majority of Americans see eye to eye with the President in his attitude against dictators. Sixty-one per centum of the voters in the last survey, for instance, favoured a boycott of German goods. However, the fact that the President is facing a more difficult Congress Was indicated to-day when the House deficiency appropriations subcommittee cut his 875,000,000-dollar supplementary relief work estimate to 725,000,000 dollars. This will provide relief for 2,300,000 unemployed instead of 2,800,000 envisioned. President Roosevelt immediately announced that he would personally lead a drive to have the original amount restored. Some observers consider that he may have to fight a similar attempt to prune the defence programme.