NEVER GREATER

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

NEVER GREATER

TENSION IN EUROPE AN AUSTRALIAN OPINION BRITISH POLICY SUPPORTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CANBERRA, Aug; 23. (Received Aug. 24, at 0.30 a.m.) Discussing the European crisis the Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, said that while admitting that tension was never greater it was both unwise and unnecessary to form exaggerated conclusions about the suggested Russo-German pact. The late'st information from the Australian High Commissioner was such that there was no need to summon the Commonwealth Parliament before the normal date, September 6. Mr Menzies pledged Australia's wholehearted support for Britain's present policy. "If Britain was forced into war she would not go alone. We stand with her up to the hilt." PLEDGES IN PACT REPORT FROM ROME ROME, Aug. 22. It has been reported that the Russian-German pact pledges:— (1) Abstention from attacking each other. (2) In the event of one party being the victim of attack by a third party, the other will remain neutral. (3) In the event of either committing an act of aggression, the other may denounce the agreement. HUNGARY'S PROBLEM AWAITING REACTIONS LONDON, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 23, at 10 p.m.) The Times Budapest correspondent says Hungarians cannot reconcile their friendship with Germany and their hatred of Bolshevism, and are awaiting the reactions of Western Powers to Herr von Ribbentrop's negotiations. The authorities fear an increase of the activities of Hungarian Nazis. The Times Bratislava correspondent says a huge demonstration demanded the return to Slovakia of the Cavorina district, which Poland took in the autumn. The Times Istanbul correspondent says the country was surprised, but is cautious and determined to resist aggression in accordance with its pledge, but it is aware that western prestige has suffered a blow. FINLAND PESSIMISTIC INDEPENDENCE THREATENED HELSINKI, Aug. 23. (Received Aug. 23, at 11 p.m.) Observers are pessimistic, their main anxiety being that Russia and Germany may co-operatively threaten Finland's independence. FRENCH RESERVISTS .BIG BATCH MOBILISED PARIS, Aug. 22. Approximately 400,000 additional French soldiers have been called up. It' is expected that more will be mobilised later to-day. POLES NEAR GERMAN BORDER FORTIFICATIONS MANNED WARSAW, Aug. 22. • The Poles have manned the fortifications opposite the German border, and are constructing machine-gun pillars. Engineers are preparing to blow up the Netze River locks and the Upper Silesian dams. The pact does not modify the attitude of the Government one iota. It does not change strategic plans in the event of war, the presence of a Russian or German army in Poland being regarded as equally menacing. Poland merely relies on raw materials from Russia, which the pact, it is believed, does not affect.