MEETING TOMORROW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1939, Page 5

MEETING TOMORROW

BRITISH PARLIAMENT SUMMONED DECISIONS OF CABINET. OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND TO BE UPHELD. (Received This Day. 9.10 a.m.) i LONDON. August 22. It is officially announced that j Parliament has been summoned for August 24 (tomorrow). Both Houses will be asked to pass an Emergency Powers Defence Bill, enabling the Government without delay to take necessary measures. Precautionary steps meanwhile include the calling up of certain personnel of the three fighting services and the Air Raids Precaution organisation. Cabinet unhesitatingly declared that a Russian-German pact would in no way affect the Government's obligations toward Poland, which Britain is determined to fulfil. Cabinet decisions included the calling up of certain personnel of the Civil Defence organisation and arranging to deal with certain matters affecting the export of essential materials and commodities. The British Government is of opinion that there is nothing in the Ger-man-Polish difficulties involving European war. The Government is ready to create conditions of confidence and adds: “If, despite all efforts, others insist on the use of force, the Government is prepared and determined to" resist it to the uttermost.” Mr S. M. Bruce (.Australian High Commissioner) called on Mr Chamberlain for a second time after the Cabinet meeting. GRAVE VIEW TAKEN SPOKESMAN FOR BRITISH LABOUR. NOT TOO LATE FOR SANITY TO PREVAIL. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON. August 22. Mr A. Greenwood, deputy-leader of the Labour Party, in a statement, said: “I take the most grave view of the international position. I consider it the duty of all 'citizens to remain calm and steadfastly to withstand further acts of aggression, as the only way to maintain the peace of Europe. It is not too late for sane counsels to prevail. The issue of peace or war rests with Herr Hitler. If the blow falls, our consciences are clean and I am sure our people will face the future with confidence and determination.” BELIEF IN LONDON MAJOR CRISIS AT HAND. GENERAL ATTITUDE OF CAUTION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY. August 22. Britain has instructed her representative in Moscow (Sir W. Seeds) ■ to take steps to ascertain the bearing of the new negotiations with Germany on the Anglo-French-Soviet conversations. This development naturally in no way affects the guarantee which both Britain and France have given to Poland. The decision to have a full meeting of Cabinet at the meeting of senior Ministers arranged for today was taken last night, in view of the tension in Europe and following a prolonged consultation between Mr Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax. The French Cabinet also met today and there was a meeting at Brussels of the Oslo Powers, summoned by King Leopold. These various meetings may be regarded as indicative of the gravity with which recent developments arc viewed.

News from Germany of the concentration of forces on the Polish frontiers—it is estimated that two million men are mobilised—represents an important threatening factor in these developments, and it is the general belief that a major crisis is at hand. It was in light of this position that Mr Chamberlain decided to call the full Cabinet into consultation.

The full significance of the surprise announcement that Herr von Ribbentrop is flying to Moscow to sign the pact cannot yet be appreciated, and in informed quarters in London no comment is offered on the subject. This news was received in London too late ,for general Press comment. The general attitude that is taken, however, is one of caution in expression of views at this stage. In a calm but firm leading article, the "Daily Mail" says: "In view of the unparalleled international situation which thus appears to be created, caution counsels that we should await fuller details before considering the implications of this development).”

There will be an emergency meeting of the National. Council of the Labour Parly tomorrow afternoon. No further meeting of Cabinet has been summoned, but Ministers have been asked to stand by. The House of Commons will meet al the usual time on Thursday. A motion for the , adjournment will be moved, and Mr Chamberlain will make a statement. He is to be followed by Mr A. Greenwood and Sir A. Sinclair. In the House of Lords, Viscount Halifax will make a statement. COMPLETE SURPRISE ACCORDING TO "DAILY MAIL." (Received This Day. 9.10 a.m.) LONDON. August 22. The "Daily Mail" says the pact news completely surprised Whitehall. There have been occasional hints of the possibility of a Russian-German understanding, but the present negotiations, though concurrent with the Anglo-French-Soviet talks, were conducted with such secrecy that Britain was unaware of them. The "Daily Mail" says the news means the end of the French-Russian treaty of mutual assistance. NEW INSTRUCTIONS DESPATCHED TO FRENCH DIPLOMATS. EMERGENCY CABINET. (Received This Dav, 9.10 a.m.) PARIS. August 22. An emergency Cabinet meeting lasted for ninety minutes. It is announced that new instructions are being despatched to French diplomats in European capitals. M. Daladicr thereafter conferred with General Gameliu (Chief of Staff'.)