JUSTIFICATION BY MOLOTOV

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 8

JUSTIFICATION BY MOLOTOV

Wish To Help People Escape Catastrophe (Reed. Sept. 18.1.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, Sept. 17. The chairman o£ the Council of the People’s Commissars, M. Molotov, broadcasting for the first time in his life, said to-day: “The last phase in the breakdown of Poland has gradually assumed a threatening' character for the Soviet. Nobody would have imagined that the Polish forces could have been driven back so rapidly. “In the situation which has arisen Russia’s treaties with Poland have ceased to have, any significance, because the Polish State has virtually disappeared. Internal bankruptcy is patent. The incapability of the Polish State has been demonstrated in the events of the past fortnight. 1 oland has lost all her industrial centres. Warsaw 'has ceased to exist as a centre of Government and nobody knows where the Government has gone. “Such a situation imposes particular concern on the Russian Government. The rapid advance of the German troops created a new situation in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Government is willing to help the Polish people to escape the. catastrophe into which they have been plunged through the adventurous and unscrupulous policy of their Government. Polish territory has become a field for any kind of accident and eventuality. Ukrainians and White Russians. “The Soviet has been neutral to the last, but cannot remain neutral in face of this situation, nor Can it remain neutral to the fate of the Ukrainian and White Russian populations. Its duty is to extend the fraternal hand of assistance to these people. I, therefore, have instructed the High Command of the Red Army 1o march across the frontier and assume the protection of the lives and property of those peoples.” M. Molotov concluded with an appeal to the army for rigorous discipline in carrying out its “honourable task of emancipation.”

Addressing Russian civilians, M. Molotov said: “There has lately become evident a desire to accumulate food and other goods because of the fear of the introduction of ration cords. The Government does not intend this for any goods. . Even if the present measures are prolonged, our country is well provided with necessities and can dispense with food rationing. The current- problem for Soviet employees, intellectuals and all citizens is to work honestly and self-sacrificingly at their posts, 1 tins rendering support to the Red Army. lam confident that the army will carry out ils duty with honour and glory. All citizens and members of the army arc at present united as never before round the Government and the great and wise leader, M. Slalin, for new and unprecedented successes in peaceful labour and Red Army victories.” A copy of a Russian note lias now been handed to representatives of all nations with which Russia lias diplomatic relations. Tt. is largely along the lines of M. Molotov’s broadcast and gives notice of the intention of the Rod Army to march with the object of freeing the Polish people from war and to give them an opportunity for beginning a peaceful life.