RUSSIAN MOVE IN POLAND

Evening Star, Issue 23376, 20 September 1939, Page 5

RUSSIAN MOVE IN POLAND

Result of Distrust of Germany CnptilWahlf- Political Gain For Soviet Rumanian Oilfields Again Barred to Nazis / ■■ Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright •NEW YORK, September 19. The Moscow correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ' says that British authoritative circles do not believe that the latest Russian move was planned at the time of the signature of the Russian-German Pact., On the contrary, the mutual Russian-German distrust is emphasised. They bebelieve that Herr von Ribbentrop promised that the Germans would not approach nearer than a line running through Brest-Litovsk. When the Soviet saw the Germans nearing the line she decided to act and notified Germany, which put on the best face and pretended approval of the move. From a military viewpoint the Russians have not improved the position of their vis-a-vis, Germany. The fortification of the new line and strengthening the frontier will take time, but politically Russia has gained considerably, as apart from the fact that the Germans have been prevented from approaching the border and seizing Ukraine, the invasion has given Russia easy access to Europe. Ironically, the Hungarians, whose hatred of Dr Benes, former President of Czecho-Slovakia, was based on the allegation of a RussianCzech pact, brought Russia back to Central Europe, and they now have Russian troops along their frontier. Unless Russia co-operates, however, Germany is again barred from the Rumanian oilfields, except via Hungary. The Russian people’s first feeling of shocked bewilderment were quickly replaced with satisfaction and some jingoism over the prowess of the glorious Red Army. The intelligentsia is pleased that the Soviet has resumed its proper task of liberating oppressed people.” It is not expected that the Soviet system will be established; rather .there will be a controlled State similar to Outer Mongolia. There is at present no attempt at socialisation. The ‘ New York Times ’ Vatican City representative says; “ It is most likely that the Vatican will side with Britain and France as champions of Christianity against paganism and Communism if Russia and Germany are allied in an everexpanding war.” It is stated that the Russians began’to enter Vilna last night and there was some street fighting between Russian _and Polish troops. White Russian folk songs, which had not been heard in Poland for years, were sung by Lithuanians, who hope Russia will return Vilna to Lithuania, from which Poland seized it in 1920.

ITALIAN AMBASSADOR SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENT FRIENDSHIP WITH BRITAIN NEW YORK, September 18. The Rome correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ . says that Signor Bastianini’s appointment as Italian Ambassador in London is regarded as the clearest indication that not only is Italy determined to remain neutral, but also to remain friendly with Britain. ... The Rome correspondent ot the ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ says that it is significant that Signor Bastianini was Ambassador to Poland for four years. The appointment indicates _ no sympathy mth the latest aggression. No doubt Italy is apprehensive of Russia’s westward move. SWISS GALLED HOME SERVICE IN ARMY - \ [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, September 19. Switzerland is calling back her nationals, and among those to answer the summons are about 40 in Taranaki. All those trained in the Swiss army, from 18 to 60 years, are being called up. and in those classes are more than 30 young Swiss farm hands, most of whom arrived in Taranaki only this year, and several young tradesmen, some of whom have already left New Plymouth. Naturalised Swiss are not being called up, but those who have to go and fail to do so are liable to imprisonment upon their return to Switzerland at any time. No distinction, it is understood, is being made between single and married men. SECRET WIRELESS STATION BROADCASTS CONTINUE I AMSTERDAM, September 19. ( The secret “ freedom ” station broadcast to Germany, pointing out that von Schirach. leader of the Hitler Youth, is not engaged in the fighting, as Nazi cars are unable to leave Hamburg owing to the roads being littered with nails and broken glass. It was further reported that Polish miners flooded the Silesian mines, which will be useless for a year. A special broadcast to Austria advised peasants to bury food stores and prevent them from falling into the I ! hands ot criminal lunatics, who are ; f Betting fire to the world. I i It was also stated that Hitler’s pro- I tective squadrons during his flights to | the war zone comprised transport ma- < chines, 15 chaser planes, and 18 high- . I scouts,

, SEA WARFARE GERMAN GREW INTERNED SURVIVORS OF BRITISH SHIPS REACH ENGLAND LONDON, September 19. A British warship landed 33 Germans at Falkland Island for internment. They were part of the crew ot the Carl Fnzzen, which the Royal Navy dealt with the day after war was declared. The ship’s cat and 13 members of the crew ot the Rudyard Kipling, which was sunk on September 17, were taken on board the submarine and brought to within five miles of Ireland. They were then put on board the trawler’s boat and towed bv the submarine, the commander. of which asked for a supply of fish and'fresh bread. He told the cook that they had not baked any. Thirteen survivors from the Brnmden, which was sunk on September 16, reached England Trom France. The captain, the engineer, and a fireman were killed. A survivor said that the explosion occurred without warning and rent a gaping hole in the side. The boilers blew up and two lifeboats were smashed. The survivors escaped in a third boat and were taken on board a ' lightship. SUBMARINE’S CLAIM * K THIRTY BRITISH SHIPS LONDON, September 19. The Berlin radio announced that the German submarine which torpedoed the British tug Neptunia claims so far to have sunk 30 British ships, totalling 190,00 tons. NAZI JEW BAITER CHARGES AGAINST STREIGHER LONDON, September 19. A message from Berlin states that a special court is investigating undisclosed charges against Herr Streicher, who was arrested under Field-Marshal Goering’s orders. AUSTRALIAN TROOPS HOME DEFENCE FIRST CANBERRA. September 19. The Minister of Defence, Mr G. A. Street, informed the House of Representatives to-day, to the accompaniment of Labour cheers, that the British Government had stated that at present the best contribution Australia could make was the defence of Australia herself. Britain, lie added, was not asking for volunteers.

WARSAW DEFIANT CITY 70 BE DEFENDED TO VERY LAST POLISH TROOPS STILL RESISTING INVADERS LONDON, September 19. It is reported that Polish troops arc still resisting. Repeated appeals broadcast by Germany to lay down arms were replied to by the mayor of Warsaw, who says: “ We are defending the city to the very last.” SCANDINAVIA NEUTRALITY DISCUSSED GERMAN IMPLICATIONS CONTESTED COPENHAGEN, September 18. The Foreign Ministers of Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway conferred on the question of neutrality. The Norwegian Foreign Minister said that he was confident that the Nordic countries’ neutrality would be respected. He added that it would be more difficult to maintain economic neutrality. All the Ministers sharply contested the German implication that Britain threatened Scandinavian neutrality. CREWS OF MERCHANT SHIPS WAR RISK RATE DISPUTE SEVERAL VESSELS DELAYED IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, September 19. The six merchantmen delayed in connection with the war risk dispute are still held up. The stalemate continues. Sixty-one members of the crew of one ship were charged with refusing the master’s orders. Two gave evidence that they believed that the ship was loaded with jome munitions. 1A message published yesterday stated: Six American merchantmen are delayed in connection with the war risk dispute. Forty-six of the 66 sea'taen brought from Britain to work two Standard Oil tankers to Britain refused to sail unless extra pay as war risk insurances were granted. The Maritime Union is supporting the British seamen, who will be subject to deportation if they do not sail the tankers. 1 DUTCH VESSEL HELD UP ROTTERDAM, September 19. The Holland-America liner Nieuw Amsterdam, with, 1,300 passengers, is held up by the crew asking for increased wages, duo to war dangers. The company refused to increase wages. REFUGE IN UNITED STATES ONLY ONE GERMAN SHIP WASHINGTON, September 18. The Pailine Frederich, which is at Boston, is the only German ship taking refuge in the Dinted States, compared with 83 when the United States entered the World War in 1917. This is interpreted as an indication that Germany fears that the United States will enter the present war. "COWARDLY GESTURE" ITALIAN VIEW OF RUSSIAN INVASION ROME, September 19. (Received September 20, at 8 a.m.) “ The Soviet action constitutes a cowardly gesture,” declares the 1 Osservatore Romano.’ The ‘ Lavoro Fascista ’ states that Turkey has assured Russia that she will not neglect trade relations with Germany. It is believed that Italy and the Balkans will only be suffered to remain outside the conflict if they keep Germany supplied. "GASH AND GARRY" POLICY SENATOR BORAH AND THE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, September 19. (Received September 20, at 8 a.m.) Senator Borah said the apparently increasing Russian-Japanese friendship might change the Administration’s desire for a “ cash and carry ” policy and lead President Roosevelt to seek to return to international law, entailing the abandonment of all neutrality legislation, which, Senator Borah said, he would prefer to some things which might bo offered. GERMANS PAY HOMAGE FUNERAL OF BRITISH GUXHAVEN VICTIM LONDON, September 19. The German radio states that marines paid homage to the wireless operator, Kenneth Day, who was killed in the Cuxhaven raid. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. The chaplain declared that the Reich honours any soldier who dies honourably. FEELING IN NICARAGUA " DEATH TO HITLER ! " MANAGUA (Nicaragua), Sept. 19. A theatre audience, angered by the announcement of the Russian invasion, marched to the German Consulate, shouting: “Death to Hitler! Long live Poland!” Police dispersed the crowd. A police census showed that there, are 400 Poles and 500 Germans in Nicaragua. The Government closed the German-operated radio station on the grounds that it was broadcasting Nazi propaganda.

ARTILLERY ACTIVE POSITION ON WESTERN FRONT FRENCH TWELVE MILES IN GERMAN TERRITORY NAZIS CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MUCH GROUND LONDON, September 19. The Paris correspondent of the 1 New York Times’ says that on the part of the western front where it is considered the Germans cannot afford to lose much ground—that is to say, the central sector facing the Saarlautern and the Zweibrucken, the artillery of both sides continues to bo active. The remainder of the front has been quiet for 24 hours. “ Quiet ” is frequently a prelude to a “big noise.’’ The French have progressed an average distance of 12 miles from the Maginot Line on a front 15 miles wide, the consequences of which are twofold —first that a section of the Maginot Line is now out of range of all except the heaviest guns—secondly, first-line troops are actually within the outer works of the West Wall. The correspondent adds; “That the British idea of dropping leaflets on German territory has value is seen in the fact that a number of the prisoners taken .by the French last week had 1 copies in their pockets.” The Polish situation is unlikely _to prevent the Germans from transferring more troops to the western front. It is estimated that German troops in the field at the outbreak of war totalled 135 divisions 70 of which, on the basis of Field-Marshal Goering’s statements, were in Poland. More divisions have been mobilised in Germany since then. PROFITEERING DENOUNCED DISCLOSURES IN ENGLAND TROUBLE TO BE STAMPED OUT LONDON. September 19. Typifying the widespread effort to stamp out profiteering, a meeting of the Drapers’ Chamber of Commerce strongly denounced profiteering and agreed that there was no justification to increase drapery above 5 per cent. It was stated that wholesalers and retailers were expecting rises of 20 to 25 per cent. The ‘ Daily Herald ’ says that the meanest type of profiteering is occurring in air raid precautions goods, including black cloth used for darkening windows. Consultations between the National Farmers’ Union and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr W. S. Morrison) have begun in order to ensure close co-opera-tion and settlement of war-time problems, including the control of sales and prices and their bearing on food production The Minister stated that the action hitherto taken to fix food prices was provisional in order to stabilise the position pending the Food Minister’s assumption of control. In the future prices would depend on factors not yet defined. Farmers could expect reasonable returns and would be guaranteed a market, and the prices for crops and livestock would sometimes bo supplemented by subsidies fixed as the circumstances dictated. AGGRESSION CONDEMNED MOSLEM LEAGUE'S RESOLUTION NEW DELHI, September 19. The Working Committee of the Moslem League passed a resolution condemning unprovoked aggression, expressing sympathy with France, Britain, and Poland, asking the British for an assurance that there wouldl be no declaration of constitutional advance for India without the league’s consent, and urging complete abandonment of the federation scheme. AMERICAN LABOUR FEDERATION STRICT NEUTRALITY URGED WASHINGTON. September 18. Mr William Green, president of the Federation of 'Labour, said that the federation would be active at a special session of Congress to urge strict neutrality and the prevention of war profiteering.