MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1926, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association

GERMANY AND RUSSIA

(Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. While British official circles are not surprised that Germany and Russia are negotiating a. treaty it is foolish to deny that they have misgivings. The “ Daily Telegraph ” oxrpesses the opinion that Moscow has found a means of influencing Germany through the injustice from which the latter suffered at Geneva. The paper also stresses the fact that this is the only one feature of the Soviet’s anli-League intrigues which involve the offer of pacts to Poland and t'lie Baltic States, besides Germany. The •'.Morning Post” says Russia hails flic German treaty as a bridge over Poland for security for loans and manufactured goods, while Germany does not disguise her motive of securing new markets for her manufactures and new sources of supply of raw materials.

These are not the only complications developing at present in Europe. It is understood that Poland and the Border States were under the influence of the Soviet in their definite refusal to attend the preparatory disarmament conference and arguing that they can hardly be expected to reduce their armies without assurances that their rinore powerful neighbour, Soviet Russia, similarly agrees. Whether this attitude is spontaneous or inspired by the Soviet as part of its ambitious scheme to create a new orientation eastwards, is not yet clear. The movements of certain statesmen continue to cause speculation. The Polish Premier. M. Skryvnski, arrived at Prague, on Tuesday and he is due in Vienna to-day. It is known the Prague conversation related to the attitude to he adopted towards the disarmament conference and the reorganisation of

the League. The “ Morning Post’s” Warsaw ror■espondont predicts that Polish relations with the Little Entente will be; ■oino more intimate. Poland and 'zcclio-Slovakia are natural allies. M. ioneour is at present in Berlin, after laying visits to Warsaw and Danzig.

it is believed, in connection with the ittcic.pt to form a Balkan pact under the friendly aegis of Italy and France. The “ Morning Post’s” Warsaw corespondent says: Indeed, the Balkans mve been much wooed lately in all piartcrs from various motives. Findlv the Mussolinian Imperialistic tour a uses diplomatic nightmares.

The “ Vonvaerts ” interprets it as threat against Turkey, the plan bong that an ally should attack Smyra, bile Greece, simultaneously, invaded brace.