NEWS BY RADIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1939, Page 6

NEWS BY RADIO

M. MOLOTOV’S ADDRESS TO SOVIET COUNCIL GERMANY "NOW STRIVING FOR PEACE.” ! — BRITAIN CALLED AGGRESSOR. The following Davehtry messages have been rebroadcast by lhe New Zealand national stations:— M. Molotov, speaking to the Stie preme Soviet Council in Moscow, said : Germany was striving for peace and ” Britain was now the aggressor. The e continuance of the war for the restora- ‘ tioh of Poland was senseless. Russia, ? he said, intended to remain neutral and to try to stop the war. She de- * sired a free hand in international aff fairs. The war was still in its early ■? stages and he described it as merely t an imperialistic war. Russia’s policy ■ aimed at breaking up the Treaty of 1 Versailles. Referring to relations with Germany, M. Molotov said Russia desired permanent friendship with Germany and the development of both States to their mutual benefit. The Russian casualties in the Polish cam* paigh were 737 killed and 1860 wounded. There was no question of ■ the restoration of Poland. The Soviet wanted a pact of mutual assistance with Finland on the lines of the pacts with Baltic States, but Finland had ‘ refused some of the Russian demands. 1 The lifting of the arms embargo by 1 the United States would only prolong and complicate the war. Referring to Turkey, he said the Soviet had wanted a pact of mutual assistance with her, so that in the event of war enemy ships could not enter the Black Sea. Instead, Turkey preferred a pact with Britain and France. The relations between Russia and Japan were greatly improved and trade negotiations between the two countries were imminent. M. Molotov spoke for 11 hours. There was no discussion. EMPIRE CONFERENCE. Cabinet Ministers from each of the Dominions have now reached London to take part in talks about the prosecution of the war, the Australian representative being the last to arrive. The New Zealand delegate, Mr Peter Fraser, was received today by the King. CITY OF FLINT. The City of Flint is now being taken by a devious course in an attempt to reach Germany by nagivating almost entirely the territorial waters of Norway. A Norwegian warship is said to be closely following the City of Flint to see that there is no interference with Norwegian rights. The United ; States Government has informed Ger- i many that she is held responsible for the safety of the American crew of the City of Flint. AERIAL ACTIVITY. The Western Front is quiet after yesterday’s increased aerial activity. French and British planes made exten ■ , sive reconnaissance flights over Ger- i many in daylight. British pilots photo- : graphed aerodromes in North Ger- . many. One British machine has not re- , turned but all the French planes returned safely. A later message states . that there is increased activity between j the Moselle and the Saar in the way of 1 raids and patrols. A German reconnaissance machine has been brought down behind the French lines. SUNK WITHOUT WARNING. A British ship of 4700 tons has been sunk without warning. Forty-one members of the crew have been land- J ed by lifeboats. Three members of the = crew are missing. ' A non-aggression pact between ( Greece and Italy is expected to be signed shortly.