VIEWS OF DIPLOMATS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1939, Page 5

VIEWS OF DIPLOMATS

HITLER’S HAND VASTLY STRENGTHENED Poland Placed at His Mercy MUSSOLINI APPROVES INTENDED PACT HOPE OF ENFORCING CLAIMS ON FRANCE (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 22. Au official announcement in Moscow today confirmed the intention of Russia and Germany to conclude a non-aggi ession pact. . ' The Soviet official Tass news agency says that alter the conclusion of the trade agreement between Russia and Germany the problem of improving political relations arose. Jhe exchange of-views on this question established that both Governments desired to relieve the mutual political tension eliminate the war menace and conclude a non-aggression pact. It.is revealed that the preliminary negotiations between Berlin and Moscow ran concurrently with the British and French negotiations with Russia. Foreign diplomats are stunned. They expressed the opinion this morning that the pact will vastly strengthen Herr Hitler’s hand, enabling him to press his anti-Polish campaign with renewed vigour. It is even suggested that Poland might now be -willing to negotiate on what she has hitherto steadfastly refused to discuss. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says that diplomatic observers describe Herr Hitler’s turning to Com- • munist Russia for friendship as one of the. most dramatic acts of his career. It is interpreted as meaning that Herr Hitler will allow nothing, not even ideological differences, to stand in the way of the policy he considers necessary to pursue Io increase Greater Germany’s power and strength. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of America says it is understood that Signor Mussolini was fully informed of the negotiations for the pact, of which he approved, as likely to secure not only Germany’s Polish aims but also satisfaction of Italy’s claims on France.