LONDON SURPRISE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 5

LONDON SURPRISE

GRAVE SITUATION PROBLEMS FOR CABINET OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND FULFILMENT ASSURED OFFICIAL BERLIN VIEW (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 23, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON,- Aug. 22. It is stated by a high authority that the announcement of the agreement between Russia and Germany for a pact of non-aggression was a complete surprise to British Ministers. The (consensus of opinion in Whitehall is that a situation of utmost gravity faces the Cabinet. Crowds gathered in Whitehall watching the Ministers come and go.

The Foreign Office spokesman said that Britain had no previous knowledge of tlie negotiations. The first intimation was tile telegraphed copy of the communique issued in Berlin which arrived late last night.

The British Cabinet unhesitatingly declared that such a Russian-Ger-man pact would in no way affeot the Government's obligations toward Poland, which Britain is determined to fulfil. The Daily Mail says that the plans for a Russo-German pact of nonaggression completely surprised Whitehall. There had been occasional hints of the possibility of a RussianGerman understanding, bud the present negotiations, though concurrent with the AugiO-F. - -Loviet talks, were conducted wun such secrecy that Britain was unaware of them. The Daily Mail says tha*t a RussoGerman pact means an end-to the French and Russian treaty of mutual assistance. Reversal of Policy The Daily Herald, in a leading article, says >Jhe bnnouncement of the Russo-German agreement represents one of the most astounding and mosit shocking reversals of policy in history.

The official German spokesman in Berlin declared that the pact was not extraordinary. It was only natural that Germany should strive to break through the “encirclers.” The difference between the German action and that of Britain was that Germany was not concluding a pact iiv Moscow aimed against Britain whereas England tried to conclude one aimed against Germany, lie declared.

It is emphasised in Berlin that the pact does not affect the domestic policy. It is pointed ouit that Turkey is on excellent terms with Moscow, but does not tolerate a single Communist at home.

The Berlin correspondent ol’ The Times says that well-informed Germans regard the development as removing all danger of war (from Europe, arguing that Brittain has suffered a grave diplomatic defeat and will hardly now care to carry out her obligations to Poland. Therefore the German demands against Poland will be granted fully, and Britain will be obliged to make the best of the new situation and accommodate herself to the new order in Europe. No Designs on Britain It is emphasised that Germany has no intention of [attacking England or her possessions and that if Britain shows common sense, an excellent understanding might be reached with the rulers of the Continent.

In any case, it is asserted that Britain rs now impotent to help Poland and must, therefore, make the best of a bad job but which, in the German view, will prove a constructive step in the interests of world peace.

The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that the German public was nonplussed by the news which was published without explanation under 8 in. headlines. It still is generally believed in Berlin that Herr Hitler will' get what he wants without war, but there is no doubt that <the nation would fight to the last man if necessary.

The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express is informed that Ger many's minimum demands in the Polish conflict have grown past Danzig and the Corridor and now include all the territory the ex-Kaiser lost tc Poland after the Great War. It is claimed that in the event of a military conflict, German troops would fight their way to the 1914 frontier and remain “on the defensive.” Even conservative circles consider this territory would be recovered within five days from the beginning of hostilities, without plunging the whole of Europe into war.

Foreign diplomats in Berlin were stunned. They expressed the opinion that the pact will vastly’ strengthen Herr Hitler’s hand, enabling him to press his anti-Polish campaign with renewed vigour. It is even suggested that Poland might now be willing to negotiate on what she has hitherto steadfastly refused to discuss.