GRAVE DEVELOPMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20890, 23 August 1939, Page 7

GRAVE DEVELOPMENTS

BRITISH CABINET ACTIVITY MAJOR CRISIS AT HAND 2,000,000 GERMANS CONCENTRATE (Official Wireless) (Received August 23, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 22 Britain has instructed its representative in Moscow, Sir William Seeds, to take steps to ascertain the bearing of the new negotiations with Germ ny on the Anglo-French Soviet conversations. The decision to have a full meeting of the Cabinet at a meeting of th • senior Ministers arranged for today was taken last night, in. view of the tension in Europe and fol owing prolonged consultation between the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain. and the Foreign Secretary, Mscount Halifax. The French Cabinet also met today and there was a meeMr.g at Brussels of the Oslo Powers summoned by King Leopold. These various meetings may be regarded as indicative of the gravity with which recent development-? are viewed. The new* from Germany of the concentration of forces on tne Polish frontiers — lt to estimated that 2,000,000 men are mobilised——represents an important threatening factor In these developments and It Is the general belief that a major crisis Is at hand. It was in the light of this position that Mr Chamberlain decided to call the full Cabinet into consultation. 4 Surprise Announcement The full significance of the surprise announcement that Herr von Ripbentrop, German Foreign Minister, is flying to Moscow to sign the pact cannot yet be appreciated, and in informed quarters in London no comment is offered on the subject. This news was received in London too late for general press comment. The general attitude that is taken, however, is one of caution in the expression of views at this stage. In a calm but firm leading article the Daily Mail says: “In view of the unparalelled international situation which thus appears to be created caution counsels that we should await fuller details before considering the implications of this development.” There will be an emergency meeting of the National Council of Labour tomorrow afternoon. No further meeting of the Cabinet has been summoned, but Ministers have been asked to stand by. House of Commons Meeting The House of Commons will meet at the usual time on Thursday. A motion for an adjournment will be moved and Mr Chamberlain will make a statement. He will be followed by Mr A. Greenwood (Labour) and Mr S. A. Sinclair (Liberals'. In the House of Lords Viscount Halifax will make a statement. BRITAIN SURPRISED SITUATION OF GREAT GRAVITY CONVERSATIONS TO CONTINUE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. August 22 It is stated on high authority that the pact was a complete surprise to British Ministers. The consensus of opinion in \\ hitehall is that a situation of the utmost gravity fares the cabinet. ' Crowds arc gathering in Whitehall watching Ministers come and go. PARIS, August 22 The French Foreign Office announces that the military conversations with the Soviet will continue in •pit, of the Russo-uerman past.