HISTORIC PACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 179, 1 August 1941, Page 5

HISTORIC PACT

SIGNED IN LONDON UNITY AGAINST HITLER SOVIET GRANTS AMNESTY TC POLISH CITIZENS (Recd. 10.30 p.m.) Rugby, July 30. A Russian - Polish agreement was signed in London to-day. The text of this historic document is as follows: I. The Government of the I .S.S.R. recognised the SovietGerman treaties of 1939 as to territorial changes in Poland as having lost their validity. The Polish Government declares that Poland is not bound by any agreement witli any third Power which is directed against the I .S.S.R.

2. Diplomatic relations are to be restored between the two Governments upon the signing of the agreement, and an immediate exchange of ambassadors is to be arranged. 3. The two Governments mutually agree to render one another aid and support of all kinds in the present war against Hitlerite Germany. 4. The Government of the U.S.S.R. consents to the formation in the territory of the U.S.S.R. of a Polish army under a commander appointed by the Polish Government in agreement with the Soviet Government, the Polish army on Soviet territory being subordinated in an operational sense to the supreme command of the U.S.S.R., upon which the Polish army will be represented in all details as to command and organisation. The employment of this force will be settled in a subsequent agreement. 5. This agreement is to come into force immediately upon signature, and without ratification.

The present agreement is drawn up in two copies, each of them in the Russian and Polish languages. Both texts have equal force. By a protocol, the Soviet Government grants an amnesty to all Polish citizens now detained in Soviet territory, either as prisoners of war. or on other sufficient grounds, as from the resumption of diplomatic relations.

The agreement was signed in the Secretary ot State's room at the Foreign Office this afternoon. Genera! Sikorski signed for Poland and M. Maisky for the Soviet. The British Prime Minister. Mr. Winston Churchill, and the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, were also pretent. After the signature of the agreement Mr. Eden handed General Sikorski an official Note in the following terms:

“On the occasion of the signature of the Polish-Soviet agreement of today's date, I desire io take lhe opportunity of informing you. in conformity with the provisions of the agreement of mutual assistance between the United Kingdom and Poland of August 25. 1939, that His Majesty's Government has entered into no undertakings toward the U.S.S.R. which would affect relations between that country and Poland. I also desire to assure you that His Majesty's Government does not recognise any territorial changes which have been effected in Poland since August, 1939.