GERMANY-SOVIET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 7

GERMANY-SOVIET

AGGRESSION BAN

ALOOF FROM ANY ATTACK CONSTANT CONSULTATION SETTLING DIFFERENOES FRIENDLY NEG OTIATION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 24, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 24. It is officially .announced from Berlin that a Russo-German pact of non-aggression was to-day signed in Moscow by the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, and the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, in the presence of M. Stalin. The pact is to run for 10 years. The treaty operates immediately after having been signed. Article one of the pact says that the two contracting parties undertake to refrain from any act of force, any aggressive act and any attacks against each other, or in conjunction with other Powers. Article two states that if one of the contracting Powers becomes the object of warlike action on the part of a third Power, then the other contracting Power will in no way support the third Power. Article three provides that the Governments of the two contracting Powers in future will remain in consultation with one another to inform themselves on questions touching their common interests. Article four provides that neither of the two contracting Powers will join any other group of Powers which, directly or indirectly, is directed against one of the two. Article five provides that in the event of differences and conflicts arising between the contracting Powers on questions of any kind, the two partners will solve the disputes and conflicts exclusively by a friendly exchange of views, or. if necessary, 'by arbitration commissions. Article six states that the agreement is for a duration of 10 years, with the stipulation that unless one of the partners gives notice to terminate the agreement one year before the date of expiration it will automatically be prolonged by five years. Article seven state's that the present agreement shall (be ratified in the shortest possible time.