THE SHADOW OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23896, 25 August 1939, Page 9

THE SHADOW OF WAR

DEEPENING OVER EUROPE GERMAN ARMY STANDING BY AWAITING ORDERS TO MARCH PRESS ATTACKS ON POLAND t . (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 24. (Received Aug. 25, at 1 a.m.) This morning Europe stands in the shadow of war. Everyone expected that the pact between Russia and Germany would be signed, but scarcely anyone thought it would give Germany a completely free hand with Russia in the role of a friendly spectator. There is every indication that during the next 48 hours there will be a decisive pause before the final blow. It might even be shorter. The early morning announcement of the signing of the Pact completely surprised the capitals, and for this reason press comment is almost entirely lacking. One grave fact stands out. As Herr Hitler awaits Herr von Ribbentrop at Uerchtesgaden the Germany Army stands at arms, and the danger that it might receive an order to march increases every hour. Mobilisation parties toured the Rhineland all night calling out reservists from their beds and from cafes and theatres, peremptorily requisitioning lorries and cars, which many youngsters without military training were forced to drive. GERMAN LEADERS AT BBROHTESGADEN Observers have not overlooked the importance of Dr Goebbels’s arrival at Berchtesgaden. He helps Herr Hitler to frame vital proclamations, and usually broadcasts them over the air on behalf of the Fuhrer. Equipment is moving east every hour from Berlin, where anti-aircraft guns have reappeared on the tops of buildings and air raid precautions are being perfected. Although the Berlin newspapers do not comment on the Moscow Pact, they direct further tirades against Poland, typical of which is the Boersen Zeitung’s conclusion that “ the time has now arrived to strike the knife from the hand of the crazed Polish maniac.’’ , BUSES REQUISITIONED BY WAR OFFICE Hundreds of Londoners had difficulty in getting home last night because large numbers of buses were held at depots at the War Office’s request. The West End was sinisterly dark, and departmental stores in fashionable Regent and Oxford streets extinguished their lights, while all night restaurants transferred their business to basements. Shopkeepers and householders have been instructed to make arrangements to mask lights. MORE POLISH RESERVISTS TO BE CALLED UP The Warsaw correspondent of the Daily Express says an emergency meeting of the Cabinet has been called for 1 a.m. It has been decided to call up 500,000 more men in the next 24 hours. No general mobilisation decree has so far been issued. The total now under arms is 1,500,000. The Polish Military General Staff will sit early this morning. FRANCE BELIEVES WAR ALMOST CERTAIN Paris remains calm, but the Associated American Press representative says that France woke up believing that a second world war is almost certain before the week-end. Wellinfonned diplomatic circles are inclined to share this belief. Troops have begun to move to the frontiers, and all services are being quietly placed on a war footing. The Government issued a midnight decree under which it assumed the right to requisition property for national needs. Posters informing the public concerning this greeted early workers in Paris streets. Orders were also issued to the police throughout the country to instruct harvesters to get in crops v ar the earliest possible moment, whether it is wet or dry. British and American tourists are flocking from Paris by tho morning’s boat trains.

The American Mediterranean Naval Squadron has taken on full supplies at Marseilles and has gone to Villefranche in readiness to take off nationals.

THE NEW PACT SIGNED

CLAUSES COVERING AGGRESSION BERLIN, Aug. 24. (Received Aug. 24, at 8 p.m.) It has been officially announced lihat the Russian-German Pact was signed in Moscow by Herr von Ribbentrop and M. Molotov in the presence of M. Stalin. The pact will run for ten years. Article I says the two contracting parties undertake to refrain from any act of force, any aggressive acts or any attacks against each other or in conjunction with other Powers. Article II states that if one of the contracting Powers becomes the object of warlike action on the part of a third Power then the other contracting Power will in no way support the third Power. Article 111 states that the Governments of the two contracting Powers will in future remain in consultation with one another to inform themselves on questions touching their common interests. Article IV states that neither of the two contracting Powers will jo'n any other group of Powers which directly or indirectly is directed against one of the two. Article V says that in the event of differences or conflicts arising between the two contracting Powers on questions of any kind the two partners will solve their disputes and conflicts exclusively through a friendly exchange of views or, if necessary, through arbitration commissions. Article VI states that the agreement is for the duration of a decennium, with the stipulation that unless one of the partners gives notice of its termination one year before its expiration it will automatically be prolonged. ' Article VII states that the present agreement shall be ratified In the shortest possible time. The tseaty will come into operation Immediately after the signing.

taneously suspended until October 1 the validits outstanding on export licences for war materials to foreign countries. Official quarters do not confirm that Mr Chamberlain received a memorandum from Herr Hitler that Danzig was no affair of Britain’s. Sir Nevile Henderson had a brief interview with Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden and returned to Salzburg, whence he departed by air for Berlin. It is reliably stated in Berlin that Herr Hitler told Sir Nevile Henderson that Germany would not permit the British guarantee to affect her vital rights and claims. WAR MATERIAL EXPORTS LICENCES SUSPENDED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Aug. 23. By order issued to-day the Board of Trade has suspended the validity of licences for export of war materials. It is made clear that it is not the intention to prohibit all exports, but to secure a review of outstanding licences. The board also announced that, in order to conserve stocks, arrangements are being made to prohibit forthwith the export to foreign countries, except under licence, of a long list of commodities, including aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, iron and steel scrap, cotton, flax, rubber, glycerine. RECENT DEALS AFFECTED LONDON, Aug. 24. (Received Aug. 25, at 0.5 a.m.) The Daily Express says It is estimated by dealers that the Government’s ban on the export of vital commodities will hold up 5000 tons of copper and 3000 tons of rubber, valued at nearly £500,000. These purchases were made by Germany on the London market recently, but have not vet been shipped. TURKEY'S INTENTION ADHERENCE TO TREATIES , ISTANBUL, Aug. 24. (Received Aug. 24, at 10 p.m.) Official quarters say that Turkey adheres to the agreements with Britain and France. WAR RISK RATES THE MINIMUM INCREASED LONDON, Aug. 23. The Institute of Underwriters has announced an increased minimum war risk rate for risks “ outside war risks and the cargo pool.” It is operative on August 24 as follows: — Baltic, 30s per cent. Mediterranean, 355. Australia and New Zealand, Iss out, 20s home. German and Italian ships are excluded. They may be rated at the underwriters’ discretion. The rates are lower than last September’s, and approximately equal to those applying during Italy’s annexation of Albania. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE NEW YORK, Aug. 23. The increasing tension abroad sent stocks down to-day on the worst break since April 8. Grains soared, while corn is up three cents. Wheat reached a five cent limit at Winnipeg, and the American market lifted three cents. Canada is prepared to ship wheat to Britain in the event of war, and the Wheat Pool withdrew offerings from the market. Sugar futures, another prime war commodity, rose several points. Bonds in New York continued to decline. United States steel is down two cents for a new 1939 low level, and the industrial average has fallen off 3.25 points. Gold losses at Toronto amounted to 20 cents. POLICY OF NEUTRALITY LONDON, Aug. 24. (Received Aug. 25, at 0.5 a.m.) The Hendaye correspondent of The Times says it is understood that the Spanish Foreign Minister circularised all Spanish representatives abroad that the Spanish Government proposes to maintain a policy of neutrality in the event of a European war.