KREMLIN TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 24 August 1939, Page 6

KREMLIN TALKS

GERMAN ENVOY QUESTION OF AGGRESSION MAY NULLIFY TREATY PARIS PRESSES INQUIRIES ‘ ‘MOGOTOY EM P, ARRASSED' ’ (Eloe. Tel, Copyright—United Press Assn.) ißeed. Aug. 24, 2 run.) LONDON. Aug. 23. Messages from .-Moscow state that the German Foreign Minister, Herr von R-ibbcntrop, who is visiting Moscow in connection with the reported agreement by Germany and Russia to conclude a pact c-1 non-aggression, conferred this morning with the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov. The Ministers met again in the afternoon.

Herr von Ribbentrcp left the Kremlin after three hours of conversation. No Indication was then given as to whether or when the conference was being resumed. Bystanders in Moscow gaped in amazement at a 'bullet-proof car flying the swastika, which Russians have been taught to hale, followed by cabs conveying secret police. Hundreds of extra police cleared the streets. A North American Newspaper Alliance special dispatch from Moscow states that Russian officials emphasise that a clause is'being inserted in the agreement -whereby the pact would !be ’nullified in the event of either signatory attacking a third Power. The Russians want to indicate that the -pact does not automatically give Herr Hitler the opportunity for a policy cf squeeze against Poland, and also wish to dispel ideas that Germany is now at liberty to attack Poland. The French Foreign Office to-day issued a statement to the effect that M. Molotov was “very embarrassed” when the .French Ambassador, )VINaggiar, called for an explanation of the Russo-German pact. It is not stated whether M. Molotov's reply is regarded as satisfactory. The French Premier, M. Daladier, in a communique after an emergency meeting of the French National Defence Council announced that France was calling up a supplementary contingent of reservists to the colours to complete the measures already taken. It is understood that this 'is a prelude to partial mobilisation. The Paris correspondent of the News Exchange says that the French Government has sent fresh instructions to M. Naggiar to seek from M. Molotov an affirmation that in the event of international complications Russia would he ready to conclude an agreement provided Poland accepted unconditional help from Russia. The French Minister in Warsaw has been instructed to secure the necessary assurance from, Poland. It is stated in Paris that the ThreePower negotiations are not being •broken off. The military conversations might be suspended for a few Hvs. m. Daladier to-day met the chiefs of the armed forces.