FATE OF POLAND

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

FATE OF POLAND

PARTITION PROBABLE GERMANY'S NEXT MOVE SWIFT AND DECISIVE ARMY READY TO MARCH (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 1.45 a.m.) Germany's elation grows as the world, after a troubled night, turns its eyes towards Moscow, where Herr von Ribbentrop is expected early. It is confidently expected that the pact will be signed within a matter of hours, after which Germany's next and decisive move might follow any minute. There is now no doubt that the German Army is ready to march at a moment's notice. The German press significantly does not mention the British Cabinet's statement. Officials, however, appear to be surprised at the statement's firmness, but profess they continue to believe that neither England nor France would fight. The same quarters assert categorically that the Versailles Poland "is dead," and predict a fourth partition, and openly threaten that Gmmany will march to Warsaw and beyond unless a settlement on the Czechosolavakian lines are forthcoming. Even if the worst comes the average German is convinced that it would be all over in four or five days. His viewpoint coincides with the Boersen Zeitung's headlines: " London puzzled and afraidRecognition of Defeat." The press has made Germans believe that Russia will now stand shoulder to shoulder with Germany, and actually join in grabbing Polish territory. The newspapers unanimously declare that Germany has resumed Bismark's foreign policy of friendship with Russia, which exKaiser Wilhelm imprudently destroyed. General jGoering's paper, the National Zeitung, ominously declares that Herr Ribbentrop's discussions in Moscow will deal * with a division of mutual spheres of influence, which is accepted as proof that partition of Poland is planned. The'Lokal Anzeiger says Poland is now completely subordinated, and will have to accept whatever Russia and Germany dictate. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT "TREMENDOUS SETBACK" PARIS, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 1.45 a.m.) The press, while acknowledging a tremendous setback, expresses the opinion that the pact remains to be seen. Whatever the outcome, it is re-emphasised that Britain and France will stand firm. Many papers violently attack the Russians' duplicity, which has made German aggression a matter of days, not weeks. It is foreseen that Russia is attempting to create a new European alignment, enabling her to exert her own guidance in the future balance of power. Le Matin writes: " The only thing now inevitable is that Britain and France should allow themselves perpetually to be duped and betrayed, and allow themselves to be made ridiculous in the eyes of the world." France will send thousands of reservists to the frontiers overnight. The Government is anxiously awaiting M. Naggiar's report, on which will depend the decision whether to break off the Moscow talks. RUMANIA'S POSITION ALLIANCE WITH POLAND BUCHAREST, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 23, at 10 p.m.) Political circles are perturbed owing to Rumania's alliance with Poland. Dr Gafencu is consulting his advisers and foreign diplomats. It is the opinion that the dilatoriness of the Western Powers in the Russian negotiations led to the Rus-sian-German rapprochement.