REACTION TO PACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23947, 24 October 1939, Page 7

REACTION TO PACT

NAZI ENVOYS RECALLED GRAVE DECISIONS LIKELY PROSECUTION OF WAR PEACE MOVE IMPROBABLE (United Press Association) (By Electric telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 22. Hitler's conference of State Governors and gauleiters and the summoning of the ambassadors from Moscow, Rome and Ankara to Berlin is Germany's immediate reaction to the Anglo-French-Turkish pact. :' The Rotterdam correspondent o:f The Times states that it is presumed that decisions of the greatest importance are being made, for which reason the party leaders were summoned to hear the results. , / . Germany's previous plans, in -which she obviously counted on strong diplomatic, arid possibly military, support from the Soviet and Italy have not materialised. Now she is left to carry on the war alone, white the Allies are in even a more favourable position. It is essential that Hitler should do something effective to counter this setback. Weather conditions tend to prejudice the success of an offensive on the Western Front, for which reason it seems likely that Germany's whole war effort will be concentrated on sea and air, particularly against Britain.. Furious attacks on the British coasts and shipping may be expected, with the primary object oE convincing the; German people that they command the means to subdue; the hated enemy, and encouraging any sacrifices they may be called on to make. The Paris radio stated that von Papen has been, ordered to return to Turkey immediately, and point out the grave consequences of the pact with England and France. The Amsterdam Telegraf's Berlin correspondent says although specific reasons are not'given for Hitler's summoning State Governors and district leaders to; a conference, it is indicated that Hitler is confronted with war decisions of the utmost importance. The. conference was held all yesterday and continued to-day. . It is recalled that a somewhat similar gathering was held a few days before the Polish campaign. pfficial circles in Berlin decliire that there is no further possibility of another/peace campaign after the last offer was rejected so abruptly. If Hitler receives an assurance that -the German people will no,t react unfavourably to the prospect of the terrific sacrifices involved in an offensive on *.:, liithß Western Front, then a large-scale attack may be expected in the immediate future. Long-term value of treaty The Sunday newspapers look back.with obvious, if guarded, bain,events of which have included of treaty of mutual assistance, renewed attempts to raid;the north-east coast naval bases, and the first, air attack on a convoy. The German loss of four out of twelve raiding machines in the latter attack, Which took yesterday, is particularly welcomed and recorded under headlines of restrained triumph. •, . ; . ,\ With', regard 'to the treaty," commentators tend to emphasise its long-term value as a constructive contribution to peaceful relations in South-East Europe and the Mediterranean area, but its immediate importance is "not overlooked. As the Sunday Times points out, "it may fairly be gauged by the outburst of fury it evoked ..in Berlin." . ;.'',-,. The Observer believes thatjevery Balkan country feels a sense of assurance as : the result of the treaty, which is also fully com..'patible •with Italian interests, jand the newspaper argues that it would" have its purpose helped by Italian support. [r While the week's accounts are presented by the newspapers as-balancing handsomely in /favour of the Allies, readers are not allowed to forget that unwelcome surprises are always possible in ..''war, but the general attitude on that point is summed up by Mr ■ Lloyd George in.his weekly article Suday Express, in which .'; he remarks: "If- Hitler has. any notion that setbacks or disasters are likely to spread any dismay in Britain or force it into a defeatist peace, he is completely under-estimating the character and spirit of the country. No one from the beginning of the war has ever hinted at surrender." , ; Mr J. L. Garvin, in the Observer, takes the view that it is the German intention from now ;io next spring to sustain, if they can, the/ struggle on the Western Front with economy of effort and conservation of means, while assailing British sea power, shipping and war industry with every resource they can muster. He says: "We have given a good of ourselves in the first phase. The more clearly we anticipate the nature of the German funda-. mental plan, against the maritime life and industrial energy of this island, the better we shall be prepared to meet and beat it."

ATHENIA SINKING -'..'.■ ■ i DR GOEBBELS'S ACCUSATION ABUSE OF MR CHURCIJULL BERLIN, ok. 22. The Propaganda Minister ■ (Dr Goebbels) broadcasting, addressed his remarks to Mr Churchill and reasserted that the First Lord of the Admiralty was responsible, for the sinking of the Athenia. He-declared that it had been proved by the unimpeachable evidence of aji American witness named Andeijson, that three British destroyers were responsible for the sinking. ' Dr Goebbels devoted fiis entire soeech of S 3 minutes toabusing Mr Churchill and giving; an extraordinary story, purporting to be Mr Churchill's plan to blow up the 'Athenia. I AM AMAZING TJHEORY • '.-.• / AMERICA AMUSED ■C. ~!;. NEW YORH, Oct. 23. The New Ycrk .Herald-Tribune, in an editorial, says: "it cannot be imagined that, even : Dr Goebbels could be so grotesque |as to repeat the amazing theory that Mr Churchill sank the Athenia. [Repetition of the yarn chiefly interests the United States as a grimly, and amusing revelation of Naziism. \

HIGHLY IMPROBABLE REPORTED BRITISH PLAN NEW YORK, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 0.45 a.m.) The Washington correspondent of the Associated American Press says Mr Cordell Hull denies knowledge of a reported British plan to recognise a de jure German Government seated in London. The denial refers to a copyright story published by the New York Daily News. It Bays British recognition would accompany promulgation of peace proposals acceptable to the de jure Government, the object being to emphasise that the German people and the Allies do not desire war. The proposed appointments, the story adds, are:—Chancellor, Hermann Rauschning, former Nazi President of the Danzig Senate; Foreign Minister, Rudolf Breitschneid; Finance Minister, Joseph Wirth. England and France would grant £2,000,000 credit to enable cooperation. INVITATION TO BELGIANS HOLIDAY TOURS IN GERMANY LONDON, Oct. 23. (Received Oct. 24, at 0.30 a.m.) The Brussels correspondent of The Times says that Germany is conducting an intense propaganda campaign in Belgium in the hope of giving the impression that life in Germany, despite the war, is almost normal. Belgians are even invited to make holiday tours of Germany.