ACTION OR DELAY?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1939, Page 5

ACTION OR DELAY?

4 GERMAN POLICY TOWARDS POLAND Allegations of Terrorism in Corridor SINISTER THREAT IN GOERING’S PAPER HOPES OF SHATTERING "ENCIRCLEMENT." By Telegraph—Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, May 9. Reports from Warsaw indicate that a conference between Herr Hitler and Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, tomorrow will doubtless influence the decision whether a policy of swift, action by Germany against Poland,or of awaiting events should be adopted. ' ■ The decision will also depend on the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish attitude toward the German proposal of a non-aggression pact. The German attitude is that it is Poland s next move. . ~ „ Reports of terrorism from the Polish Corridor are given increasing prominence in the German Press. Field-Marshal Goering’s paper “National Zeitung’’ threatens that, if terrorism continues, Germany will act in the same way as she did toward Czechoslovakia last year. . . ■ The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says it is evident that the conversations held in Milan between Count Ciano and Herr von Ribbentrop, Italian and German Foreign Ministers, and the military pact which resulted are regarded as having * brought the Danzig Corridor problem and the Italian claims in the Mediterranean a long step nearer solution according to the aspirations of the Axis Powers. While there are signs that the pact between Italy and Germany has not created the impression abroad which was hoped, every effort is being made to assure the German people that the encirclement policy is as good as shattered. Polish reactions are being watched carefully for signs of weakness. Reports from Tokio state that the Japanese vernacular Press unanimously declares that Japan has decided to join the Italo-German military alliance without delay. The Foreign Office, however, declines to comment. Rome reports that the text of the Italo-German pact is now being drafted. The Foreign Ministers, Herr von Ribbentrop and'Count Ciano, will probably meet, again early in June to affix their signatures. The “Messagero” says: “This will end rumours of a split in the Axis and counteract the implacable and feverish British and French encirclement plan.

SHOWING THE WORLD

RIBBENTROP DEFENDS PACT WITH ITALY ,■• ■ I DEFIANT TONE TAKEN TO ;DEMOCRACIES. • PROTECTION OF JOINT INTERESTS. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, May 9. The German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, before returning lo Berlin from Milan today, said: “The Italo-German military pact is the logical conclusion of a condition existing for years, but the axis benefit of juridical ford forgers, quill drivers and phrophesying inciters in order to make it clear that nothing can interfere with the solidarity of the two nations. "The Democracies may note that the friendship between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler is indestructible. They and their peoples want peace.” Herr von Ribbentrop continued that the pact was unnecessary, but that perhaps it was just as well it had been concluded in order to show the world that Italy and Germany were united and had the same destiny. “Both want peace, but, if the democracies will not leave us in peace, Herr Hitler and Sig-> nor Mussolini will be invincible.” The Berlin newspaper “Lokalanzeiger,” recalling the desire of General von" Moltk, German Commander-in-Chief in 1914, for joint Italo-German action, declares that the idea of increased effect of joint action against a possible enemy on the western front retains its justification. This also applies to the East where the countries’ joint interests would be more easily protected. Italy benefits, says the paper, from increased northern, protection for her colonial empire, while German warships can use Italian bases in the Mediterranean. OFFER REJECTED GERMAN NON-AGGRESSION PACT. DECISION OF SCANDINAVIAN MINISTERS. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) STOCKHOLM. May 9. The conference of Scandinavian Foreign Ministers rejected Germany’s nonaggression pact offer.

MILITARY PREPARATION EXPEDITED IN ITALY. CONFERENCE OF HIGH OFFICERS. 1 1 ROME, May 9. \ An official communique issued last ■ night after a meeting of army chiefs, including ■ Prince Umberto, Marshal Badoglio and General Graziani, stated that the “subjects discussed were mea- ; sures already taken or about to be . taken for rapid military preparation, ; the rapid rate at which the organisa- . tion of the frontier army was being perfected and the measures being taken to put the army in fl state of entire readiness.” HOME AGAIN RIBBENTROP TO SEE HITLER. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) MUNICH, May 9. Herr von Ribbentrop has arrived from Italy. He will see Herr Hitler later. | SPECIAL POWERS VOTED TO POLISH PRESIDENT. (Received This Day. 9.25 a.m.) WARSAW, May 9. Parliament unanimously and demonstratively passed a Bill vesting the President with special powers. INFLUX OF GERMANS SEEKING WORK IN WESTERN POLAND. PRETENDED UNEMPLOYMENT. WARSAW. May 9. The attention of the Polish authorities have been directed to a large number of Germans recently arriving on the western frontier from different districts in Poland, pretending to be unemployed and seeking work. This sudden influx of Germans who have nothing to do with the local population nor any apparent reason for ■ their presence caused the Government ■ to return 300 to their formers places of residence.