DELIGHT IN BERLIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1939, Page 5

DELIGHT IN BERLIN

“POLAND NOW TRAPPED” GRAVE DIPLOMATIC DEFEAT FOR BRITAIN. NEW ORDER IN PROSPECT IN EUROPE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, August 22. Amid the general surprise created by the announcement of the non-ag-gression pact between Russia and Germany semi-official circles that its speedy conclusion has already removed the long-existing tension between Russia and Germany. The impending pact, they say, will doubtless help to clear the international political atmosphere to the extent of making the "encirclement" Powers more cautious in their policy toward Germany. Th Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that the news spread like wildlire throughout the city, creating the greatest satisfaction everywhere. One comment was as follows: "Poland is now trapped. The entire Polish question will prove another German walk-over, similar to Czechoslovakia." German circles are most optimistic regarding the European reaction to the pact. They regard the pact as a double blow to Britain's attempt to enlist Russia in the British and French encirclement policy. ANTI-COMINTERN PACT. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that well-informed circles are unable to say how the pact between Russia and Germany will affect the anti-Comintern pact, under which Germany. Italy and Japan are pledged to oppose international bolshevism, but it is emphasised that all eventualities have been foreseen and that German-Japanese relations have been taken into consideration.

Basically. Poland's position appeared to be greatly weakened, for no matter what the Western democracies might now arrange Poland could not expect help from the East. "The Times'-' Berlin correspondent says that well-informed Germans regard the development as removing all danger of war from Europe, arguing that Britain has suffered a grave diplomatic defeat and will hardly now care to carry out her obligations to Poland, and therefore the German demands

against Poland will be granted fully and Britain will be obliged to make the best, of the new situation and accommodate herself to a new order in Europe. GERMAN INTENTIONS.

It is emphasised that Germany has no intention of attacking England or her possessions, and if Britain shows common sense an excellent understanding might be reached with the rulers of the Continent. In any case, it is asserted, Britain is now impotent to help Poland and must therefore make the best of a bad job—one which, in the German view, will prove a constructive step in the interests of world peace.

The Danzig correspondent of the British United Press says leading Nazis declared that the pact would undoubtedly hasten the realisation of Danzig's demand to join the Reich. It would also greatly losses the possibilities of war arising out of a solution of the Danzig problem. A Budapest message states that in Hungary, it is considered Poland's fate is sealed, and that the Western Powers are now unable to assist any small Powers lit East Europe. COMMUNIST CHARGE PARTY DESTROYED BY STALIN. SOFIA. August 22. Reports of a possible Russo-German rapprochment have been circulating in Sofia for days. M Raskilnikov, the former Soviet Minister in Sofia, in a letter to the Bulgarian newspaper "Utro," declared that M Stalin had destroyed the Communist Party and established a personal autocracy and had continued to undermine the authority of the military leaders despite the threatening international situation. PRICES MARKED DOWN ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. BERLIN BOURSE OPENS STRONGLY. (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON. August 22. Business on the Stock Exchange is almost at a standstill. Jobbers marked down prices in all sections. Giltedged securities are nominally two points below the level of yesterday and many are at their lowest level since 1932. The Berlin Bourse opened strongly.