POLISH PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1939, Page 6

POLISH PROTEST

STATE STILL EXISTS REJECTION OF RUSSIAN NOTE. DIPLOMATS NOT.SURPRISED. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 17 The Moscow correspondent of the Exchange Company states: “Authoritative Polish circles here insist that Poland still exists as a State, is still fighting and holds the major part of her territory. They emphasise that in accordance with an historic tradition, a State continues even if occupying only a small part of its territory. The Poles see a contradiction in Russia’s declaring the Polish Government nonexistent while simultaneously handing a Note to the Polish representative in Moscow, who rejected it and now awaits his Government's instructions. A Paris correspondent of the Exchange Company says Russia’s advance into Poland did not surprise diplomatic circles, who were convinced that the German-Soviet Pact contained secret clauses providing for the partition of Poland. Moscow’s declaration of a maintenance of neutrality is interpreted to mean that the Soviet does not intend to come in on the German side. SOVIET NOTE "POLICY OF NEUTRALITY.” (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) MOSCOW, September 17. The Soviet’s Note to Ambassadors and Ministers of all States maintaining diplomatic relations with the Soviet states that Russia will pursue a policy of neutrality in its relations with their countries. The recipients were Germany, Italy, China, Japan, England, France, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, the United States, Finland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Mongolia, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Belgium,- Rumania, Lithuania, Hungary, Norway. ALARM IN BUCHAREST DETAILS OF THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The British United Press Bucharest correspondent says consternation followed the news of Russia's march into Poland. The two main movements are from Kaimietz and Pololski, in order to prevent the retreating Poles entering Rumania, whose Government had stated that it would intern them, and from Vitebsk, to cut off Poles withdrawing from the Vilna Province into Latvia. CLAIM TO VILNA LITHUANIA NOT ACTING AT PRESENT. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) KOVNO, September 17. No Lithuanian move is expected against Vilna. The Polish town is claimed as Lithuanian, being so recognised by the Russo-Lithuanian peace treaty of 1930. Lithuania is not taking advantage of Poland's desperate situation. She is willing to settle 'the question by negotiation. Meanwhile she is strengthening her forces on the Polish frontier. GERMAN REPORT AGREEMENT BETWEEN STALIN AND HITLER. (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) BERLIN, September 17. Official quarters strongly indicated that M Stalin invaded Poland by agreement with Herr Hitler. German troops have already reached Ukrainian sections which the Russians may claim.