SOVIET BOMBSHELL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23895, 24 August 1939, Page 11

SOVIET BOMBSHELL

RELATIONS WITH GERMANY NEGOTIATIONS FOR PACT EUROPEAN SITUATION CRITICAL BEWILDERMENT EVERYWHERE • (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Aug. 22. To Judge by tllie reports reaching London from European centres the announcement of the proposed German-Russian Pact at first gave rise to bewilderment every where—and not the least In Germany, where, In view of the marked difference in emphasis In agency statements from Berlin and Moscow and the absence of authoritative expression of the views of Russia herself, many varied and often contradictory interpretations of this development are in currency. While the critical situation in Europe compels the most serious consideration of any event of this character, commentators everywhere obviously find difficulty in entirely suppressing light reflections inspired by the spectacle of the author of the anti-Comintern Pact hastening-to the Soviet capital!. In most countries the tendency—fostered by the triumphant terms in which the forthcoming negotiations have been heralded In the German and Italian press—to see the proposed pact as a reversal of Russian policy has given way on consideration to the realisation that that is far from being its only or most likely significance. This way of regarding the matter derived strength from later agency reports from Moscow. A message received in London, for example, attributes to authoritative Soviet quarters the view that a Soviet-German Non-aggression Pact would be a serious step to ensure peace in Europe. Some circles are said to insist that such a pact would in no way be incompatible with a defensive alliance between the Soviet, England, and France. This indication of the official Soviet view is regarded among Journalists in T oscovr as of the utmost importance, as revealing the undiminished desire of Russia to pursue the Anglo-Soviet negotiations to a successful conclusion.

WHITEHALL SURPRISED secrecy: OF negotiations TALKS TO BE CONTINUED POLAND IN PERILCKJS POSITION LONDON, Aug. 22. The Daily Mail says the pact completely surprised Whitehall; There had been occasional hints at the possibility of a Russian-German understanding, but the present negotiations, though concurrent with the Anglo-French and Soviet talks, were conducted in such secrecy that Britain-.was unaware of them. The Daily Mail says it means the end of the French-Russian treaty for mutual, assistance. There is. an. inclination in high places to await a revelation from Moscow concerning what the Soviet has really committed herself to. and whether it is true, as reported from Rome, that there is a clause bestowing liberty on Russia to go to the assistance of any neighbour belonging to the pact who feels herself to be the victim of aggression. The Ber/h correspondent of the Associated! Press of Great Britain points out that Germany has nonaggression pacts with all of Poland's neighbours. This means that none will oppose her if she decides to strike at Poland. The Foreign Office Spokesman stated that Britain had no intention of discontinuing the talks with Russia. Soviet Embassy circles are of the opinion that there is no reason why Britain and France should abandon the Moscow negotiations. They declared that the clue to the German decision is to be found in the fact that the Kremlin has known weary months haggling with Britain and France. BRITAIN'S REQUEST DEFINITION OF THE PACT MOSCOW, Aug. 22. The British Ambassador, Sir William Seeds, conferred with M. Molotov in the evening. The French Foreign Minister, M. Naggiar, conferred with M. Molotov earlier. It is learned that Sir William Seeds was instructed to ask M. Molotov for a clear definition of the pact. ambaSador^mission MESSAGE TO HERR HITLER LONDON, Aug. 23. The Paris correspondent of the Havas News Agency says reports .troro Berlin state that the British Ambassador, Sir Nevile Henderson will see Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden to-day, bearing a message from Mr Chamberlain. DRAMATIC NEW~TURN VITAL NOTE FROM BRITAIN / Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 1.45 a.m.) Officii confirmation in London that Sir Nevile Henderson will see Herr Hitler to-day provided a dramatic new turn in the crisis. He left Berlin by air at 9.20 a.m. for Salzburg, whence he will immediately motor to Berchtesgaden. It is understood that he is bearing a vital message from Mr Chamberlain. '••'•••

AMERICANS IN EUROPE WARNING FROM WASHINGTON DANGER OF A CONFLICT LEADERS DISCUSS POSITION WASHINGTON, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 0.30 a.m.) The Acting Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, Army and Navy chiefs, and a score of officials from five departments conferred at length to-night. They discussed arrangements for evacuating 100,000 Americans from Europe and steps to preserve American neutrality in the event of war. It has been learned that nine new members are being appointed to the War Resources Board in preparation for an emergency. Earlier the Polish Ambassador waited on Mr Welles and stressed the point that Poland would defend herself against territorial demands, even if deserted by England and France. The American Ambassador to Poland has been authorised to warn Americans there of the danger of a conflict. President Roosevelt, who is spending a holiday aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa, is silent. When he returns on Friday he will face numerous petitions for his intervention to preserve peace. "SIGNS OF HOPE" GERMAN SHIPS STILL SAILING (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 0.45 a.m.) The King will return to London to-night from Balmoral, but the Queen and the Princesses will remain in Scotland. The Daily Express, pointing out " signs of hope," says yesterday Germany had over 500,000 tons of her best merchant ships on the high seas or about to leave port. Twentyfive liners are keeping their normal ocean going schedules. During the Munich crisis all German liners were recalled home. LEADER OF DANZIG NAZIS CONFIDENT DECLARATION DANZIG, Aug. 22. Herr Foerster, addressing German jurists, said: "You will be able to say that you were the last body to meet in the so-called Free City, which is nearing its end." Herr Foerster was in excellent spirits. Dr Frank, addressing the jurists, said Herr Hitler, by bringing Danzig to the Reich, would lay the basis for a legal community and peaceful nations and would avert the danger of a war destroying Europe's culture. The allied associated Powers Which had established Danzig would no longer exist. FRANCE AND RUSSIA MILITARY CONVERSATIONS PARIS, Aug. 22. The Quai d'Orsay announced that the military conversations with the Soviet would continue despite the Russo-German pact.