NAZI WEAKNESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20057, 2 October 1939, Page 7

NAZI WEAKNESS

SOVIET PACT VIEWS OF FOREIGNERS REACTION BY RUSSIANS INTENSE WAR FEELING ALARM AND CONFUSION (Eire. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. October 3, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30. A despatch to the New York Times from Mr. G. E. R. Gedye, in Moscow, states that although the wording of the German and Russian communiques produced an intense war psychosis, alarm, despondency, and confusion among the Russians, the more sophisticated foreigners are inclined to be very calm. “The reference to consultation seems on paper to be concession to Germany, in exchange for a free hand in the Baltic States for the Soviet.” -says Mr. -Gedye. “E\)en if she paid a further price by _ withdrawing from the advanced line in Poland to the new reduced territory, the advantages to the Soviet would bo both political and military, minimising the risk of attack from East Prussia and retaining the homogenous population of severed co-racial Russians only since 1920, leaving Germany the almost entire Polish population." Hot-Bed of Revolt Mr. Gedye adds that there is already a considerable collection of newly-subjugated, rebellious, revengeful subjects, indignant Poles and contiguous Czechoslovaks who are contiguous to the Austrians, all united by the bond of Roman Catholicism. M. Stalin may consider that he is well rid of a hot-bed of future revolts.

The chief impression of neutral observers is that the new pact is an astonishing confession of Nazi weakness and distrust of Germany’s ability to face a long war. It is possible, but most doubtful that the German Foreign Minister, Herr Von Ribbentrop, received an assurance that the ominous consultation clause means a full military alliance, the value of which is doubtful. Russia’s submarine fleet is not proved. It might smuggle a few to the North Sea and also to the Mediterranean, but that, apart from giving supplies, the extent of which will be limited by the available resources, Is believed to be the total possible elTorts coupled, perhaps, with the stirring-cup of Afghanistan against India. Certainly, intervention for the Nazis is abhorrent to the majority of Russians and a strain on their loyalty. All Russia has achieved apparently, is the encouragement of Germany, whose plunging deeper into war and to ultimate destruction seems to be Ihe only clearly discernible aim of the Soviet. “Necessary Measures” A message from Amsterdam says that the Berlin correspondent of the Nieuwe Rotterdameache Courant, reports that Nazi circles, replying to what is behind the Russian-German 'hreat of "necessary measures” it Britain and France decline to accept peace, suggest that Russian bombers, perhaps 2,100 /attached to German aerodromes, will ensure supremacy in the air and perhaps the Soviet forces will directly attack the British Empire, sending troops to Iran and Iraq, menacing the position in India and preventing the despatch of troops to aid on the Western Front. A further .report from Moscow, says that the official organ of the Communist Party, Pravda, in urging peace in Western Europe says that Russia and Germany will make an ell’ort to end hostilities and, if necessary, will draw in other friendly powers to make a similar pffort. The Soviet press attempts to absolve Germany from war guilt.