Intention of Great Britain

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20046, 19 September 1939, Page 6

Intention of Great Britain

ENERGY IN PROSECUTING WAR Invasion By Red Army Not Justified JOINT GERMAN-RUSSIAN DECLARATION Not Against Spirit of Non-Aggression Pact (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 19, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18.

The following - statement was authorised for issue in London to-night regarding the Soviet action in Poland. ‘'Britain lias considered the situation created by the attack upon Poland as ordered by the Soviet. ‘ This attack, made upon Britain’s ally at a moment when she was prostrate in the face of the overwhelming forces sent against her by Ocrmany, cannot, in Britain’s view, be justified by the arguments put forward by the Soviet. The full, implication of these events is not yet apparent, but Britain takes the opportunity of stating that nothing that has occurred can make any difference to Britain’s determination, with the full support of the country, to fulfil her obligations to Poland and to prosecute the war with all her energy until her object is achieved.”

The Independent Cable Service reports, however, that well-informed circles state that there will not be a rupture in Britain’s diplomatic relations with Russia, much less a declaration of war. since it is thought that Russia is believed to he serving her own A'ital interests by the invasion.

A Polish Government communique issued from Kuty approved of the action of the Polish. Ambassador in Moscow in declining to accept the Russian note. “The Polish Government strongly protests against; Russia’s unilateral breaking of the Polish -Russian non-aggression pact and also the invasion of Poland when the whole nation was fighting with all its might against the German aggressor,” states the Polish communique. “The Soviet’s reasons'are parried by the statement that the Polisli Government is carrying out its duties normally and the Polish Army is still struggling. Russia alone can be blamed if she complains of lack of contact with the Polish Government. The Russian Ambassador left Poland while the entire diplomatic corps maintained contact.”

A Moscow message quotes a German-Soviet communique which states: “In order to forestall unfounded rumours the Russian and German Governments declare that the actions of their troops are not contrary to the interests of Germany and Russia, nor contradicting the spirit and letter of the RussoGerman non-aggression pact. On the contrary their task is to establish peace in Poland and assist its population to reconstitute their normal, existence.”

Berlin reports that the German and Soviet troops met at Brest iitovsk. The official. Berlin radio announced that the Russian and German troops who met at Brest-Litovsk exchanged diplomatic courtesies and began negotiations in order to define the respective zones of occupation.

The Helsinki correspondent of The Times reports the almost unimpeded advance of Russian troops into White Russia. Russian bombers destroyed the Polish border station of Sniatyn.

A Copenhagen message quotes the Riga correspondent of the Berlingsltc Tidcndes 'who reports that General Sonkowsld, a former friend of Marshal. Pihulski, yesterday attempted to establish a military dictatorship at Warsaw. Marshal Smigly-Rydz frustrated the attempt. “Now the Government has fled there is complete chaos in the high command,” adds the correspondent.

Diplomatic observers in Paris believe that Herr Hitler is likely to serve a “peace ultimatum to France and Britain soon, now*that he has reached agreement with the Soviet on the dismemberment of Poland.”