BARGAIN WITH NAZIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 7

BARGAIN WITH NAZIS

Doubts Of Easy Conclusion LONG TALKS BY GERMAN ENVOY Hints Of Peace Offensive By Hitler GOERING’S BOAST OF PROWESS IN POLAND (Elce. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 29, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28. The world again waits while the Soviet leader, M. Stalin, holds court at the Kremlin, but this time realising that the outcome is certain profoundly to affect the course of the war and Europe’s future. A Moscow communique states that the Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbcntrop, and Al. Stalin participated in a talk lasting two hours, on questions , connected with developments in Poland. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says that Herr von Ribbentrop resumed the talks at the Kremlin in the afternoon. The interview lasted for two hours and a half. It is hinted that Herr von Ribbentrop is not having altogether a smooth passage. Russia reportedly seeks to hold the balance of power as between Europe and Asia and seeks to remove the vulnerability of Leningrad by extending control to the Gulf of Finland. What the German Foreign Minister is discussing, is yet unknown, but it seems certain that once an agreement is .reached, Herr Hitler will launch his peace offensive in full force. The German view is that the war ended with the capitulation of Warsaw, and that the onus is now on Britain and France to decide whether hostilities will be resumed on a greater scale. Hitler May Pay Exceedingly Dearly. The French press voices the opinion that Herr Hitler will be forced to pay exceedingly dearly to obtain a final settlement with the Soviet regarding the delimitation of the. Polish ■frontier. The Russians already arc advancing along the Vistula to the most advantageous frontier, but Herr Hitler apparently is resigned to accept this setback, provided he is enabled to manoeuvre a suitable diplomatic position from which to tackle the democracies over questions of peace. It is expected that Herr Hitler’s argument will be the same as that of Signor Mussolini, that the war has not yet begun on t.lie Western Front, but there would be no question of restoring Poland, or liberating Czechoslovakia or Austria. Herr Hitler stands to lose great influence in the Baltic, for which reason be is fighting hard to limit his retreat before the Bolshevik penetration. Observers in Paris believe that Herr Hitler will try to get the shadow of Russia behind his peace offensive in the effort to induce Britain and France .to agree, firstly, to the disappearance of Poland under German-Soviet domination; secondly, to a settlement of Colonial issues, and thirdly, to a readjustment of commercial .and mercantile advantages for Russia and Germany. Germany then would probably agree to peace for a number of years, but in the event of certain refusal Herr Hitler would regard himself as at liberty to employ all the German forces in the west. A German High Command communique issued in. Berlin states that the Modlin fortress has offered to surrender. The bulk of the German troops are said to have crossed the demarcation line “according to plan.” Plans For Occupation of Warsaw. The German High Command says that Warsaw will be occupied as soon as arrangements are completed, probably on Friday. A Berlin radio broadcast announced to-day that the German Air Minister, Field-Marshal Goering, issued a proclamation on the occasion of the surrender of Warsaw in these terms: —“The Polish Army’s mission was to march to Berlin, but before it could get into action, the German dagger struck with lightning strokes. lam proud of the German Air Force. From the first day, it decisively dominated the enemy sky. No Polish aeroplane succeeded in flying over German soil. Now, after the fashion of German soldiers, we rctighten onr armour more securely and await the Fuehrer’s next order. Forward for eternal Germany.” The Daily Telegraph says that the Soviet Ambassador, M. Maisky, called on the Foreign'Secretary, Viscount Halifax, on Wednesday bringing Moscow’s reply regarding the future course of Soviet action in Europe. It is understood that tin's indicated that Moscow could not at the moment definitely make ' a statement since the Soviet action was dependent on other factors and events over which she had no control. It is believed that Viscount Halifax also inquired regarding the Soviet Government’s attitude concerning the re-opening of Anglo-Soviet trade conversations. The Moscow response is unknown.