“AT THIS GRAVE HOUR”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1939, Page 5

“AT THIS GRAVE HOUR”

BROADCAST BY THE POPE WHOLE WORLD WANTS PEACE. JUSTICE NOT TO BE OBTAINED BY VIOLENCE. (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) ROME, August 24. Speaking in quiet, earnest tones, the Pope in a broadcast, said: "Al this grave hour we must talk peace. .Jesus wanted all men to be brothers. I earnestly stress to Governments, rulers and peoples I hat justice cannot be obtained by violence. War is futile and causes only bloodshed and the destruction of our Fatherland. We pray that riders make the utmost effort for peace. The hearts of mothers and fathers are beating with ours. The whole world wants peace, bread and work; not steel and war.” POLISH SUBMISSION? RUMOURS IN GERMANY & ENGLAND. COLONEL BECK MAY GO TO BERLIN. (Received This Day. 9.40 a.m.) LONDON. August 2-1. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says it is rumoured in high circles that the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, might go to Berlin and place Poland under Germany’s protection. A similar rumour is current in London. ANOTHER STORY DANGER OF COUP D’ETAT AT DANZIG. FREE CITY ENCIRCLED BY POLES. (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) BERLIN, August 24. The official German news agency states: Polish forces, at war strength, have encircled Danzig and the danger of an imminent coup d’Etat is great. Mr Chamberlain’s speech has increased the tension and caused the hope to fade that the European problems can be solved bloodlessly. READY FOR WORST PREPARATIONS IN FRANCE WAR CONSIDERED ALMOST CERTAIN. MORE TROOPS MOBILISED. LONDON. August 24. Paris this morning remains calm but the British Associated Press correspondent says that France woke up believing that a second world war is almost certain before the weekend. Well-in-', formed diplomatic circles are inclined to share this belief. Troops have begun to move io the frontiers and all services are quietly being placed on a war footing. In addition to the mobilisation of several classes of troops last night the Government issued at midnight a decree under which it assumed the right to requisition property for national needs. Posters informing the public of this greeted the early workers in the Paris streets. Orders have also been issued to the police throughout the country to instruct harvesters to get in their crops, as soon as possible, whether, wet or dry. British and American tourists are flocking from Paris by this morning's boat trains. The American Mediterranean naval squadron has taken on full supplies at Marseilles and gone to Villefranche, ready to take off nationals. Among the few comments on the Moscow pact “L’Epoque” denounces the “scandalous collusion of Nazism and Bolshevism” and declared that a backward step is impossible unless the democracies want to be under Herr Hitler’s heel before next year. It concludes: “Let us tell Hitler that if he wants war we are ready.” CANADA’S POSITION POLICY TO BE DETERMINED BY PARLIAMENT MOBILISATION OF MILITIA FOR GUARD DUTY. PAPER APPEALS TO ROOSEVELT TO INTERVENE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. OTTAWA, August 24. The Government announced that. Canada was ready to defend herself, but did not mention extending aid to Britain. The Government is pledged to a policy of not making war promises without the consent of Parliament. The Defence Minister disclosed tha the moment Britain was involved in war Canada would begin an elaborate defence plan, including the immediate mobilisation of militia numbering about 50.000. to guard important utilities and industries against sabotage, defend the Canadian coasts, and so on. It is understood, however, that under the present plans none of the troops would be sent overseas to aid England, since the Government is pledged against conscription or the sending of an expeditionary force without the consent of Parliament. Parliament alone will decide to what extent Canada will participate in any war.

The “Montreal Gazette.” in a leader, appeals to President Roosevelt to intervene to preserve the peace of Europe. It says: “This is President Roosevelt’s opportunity. A word from him today coming at a crucial time, would inevitably carry great influence. If there is an element of reason left in Herr Hitler's mind, and if anything can appeal to it, unquestionably it lies in the United States."