RUSSO-GERMAN PACT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 5

RUSSO-GERMAN PACT

Free Hand Allowed Nazis

TERMS SURPRISE CAPITALS Germany Assembling Power Iri Arms BERLIN PRESS TIRADE AGAINST POLES Fears on Continent of Imminent Conflict (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 25, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 26. Europe this morning stood in the shadow of war. Everyone expected that the pact of non-aggression between Russia and Germany would be signed, but scarcely anyone .thought it would give Germany a completely free hand, with in the role of a friendly spectator. There is every indication that the next 48 hours will be a decisive pause before the final blow. It might even be shorter. The early-morning announcement of the signing 01. the pact completely surprised the capitals and for this reason press comment, was almost entirely lacking. One grave fact stands out. As Herr Hitler awaits the German Foreign Minister, Herr Yon Ribbentrop, at Berchtesgaden, the German army stands at arms and the danger that it miglit receive the order to march increases hour YMobilisation parties toured the Rhineland all night, calling out reservists from their beds and from cafes and theatres and peremptorily requisitioning lorries and ears which many youngsters without military training were forced to drive. Observers have not overlooked the importance of the arrival at Berchtesgaden of the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, Dr Goebbels. He helps Ilcrr Hitler to frame the vital proclamations and usually broadcasts them over the air on belialt of the Fuehrer.

Equipment is moving east hourly from Beilin where antiaircraft guns have reappeared on the tops of the buildings and the air raid precautions are being perfected. Although the Berlin newspapers do not comment on the Moscow pact they direct further tirades against Folaiid, typical of which is the Boersen Zcitung’s conclusion: Ihe time now has arrived to strike the knife from the hand oi the crazed Polish' maniac,” Paris remains calm, hut the Associated Press sa.is that France woke up believing that a second world war was almost certain before the week-end. Well-informed French diplomatic circles arc inclined to share this belief. Troops have begun to move to the frontiers and all services are quietly being placed on a war footing. In addition to overnight French army mobilisation of several classes, the Government issued at midnight a dccitt under which it assumed the right to requisition property for national needs. Posters informing the French public of this greeted early workers in Paris streets. 'Orders were also issued to the police throughout the country to instruct harvesters to get in crops as soon as possible whether wet or dry. British and American tourists arc flocking from Paris by the morning’s boat trains. The American Mediterranean naval squadron has taken on full supplies at Marseilles and gone to Villefanche ready to take off American nationals. The British Consulate in. Berlin, under instructions from London, advised Britons to leave Germany. The Italian war preparations arc reported to have been suddenly accelerated. Responsible quarters arc _ beginning to express the fear .that war is almbst inevitable within days. The King arrived at the Palace without ceremony and held a Privy Council at 10 a.m!, and received reports of the situation.

A special meeting of the Cabinet was held at 12.45 o’clock. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, visited Hie Palace after the Privy Council and gave the King a detailed report of the developments.

The Warsaw correspondent of the Daily Express says that an emergency meeting of the Polish Cabinet was called for 1 a.m. It was decided to call up 500,000 more men in the next 24 hours.

No general mobilisation decree had so far been issued. The total now under arms is 1,500,000. The Polish Military General Staff held a sitting early this morning.