MOLOTOV’S SPEECH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1940, Page 5

MOLOTOV’S SPEECH

WELCOMED IN TURKEY PROSPECT SEEN OF LOCAL PEACE. REACTIONS IN WESTERN EUROPE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 31. All Istanbul message says that Turkish attention to M. Molotov’s speech is focused on the declaration that, the Soviet does not. intend to participate actively in the war. Official circles consider that there is a good prospect of maintaining peace in their part of the world. They believe that the German efforts to create hostility between Russia and Turkey have been frustrated.

In Paris the newspaper comment on M. Molotov’s speech, though not lacking in sarcasm, no longer includes uncompromising demands for breaking off relations with Russia.

A message from Zurich says that diplomatic observers in Berlin unanimously report that M. Molotov’s speech was a “wet blanket” for the Wilhelmstrasse. The Nazi. Foreign Minister. Herr von Ribbentrop, is reported to be surprised that M. Molotov used the expression “neutral” instead of "non-bel-ligerent.”

HEAVY INCREASE SOVIET MILITARY BUDGET. MOSCOW, April 1. The Finance Commissar, M. Zverev, introduced the Supreme Soviet Budget of £7,188,000,000, a fifth more than last year. The military Budget is £2,280000,000, compared with £1,600.000,000 last year. Thunderous applause greeted the Budget announcement. M. Zverev stating it would be necessary to increase the Budget as long as capitalism and encirclement lasted.