SOVIET & GERMANY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1940, Page 6

SOVIET & GERMANY

MEANING OF MOLOTOV VISIT ! ACCORDING TO NAZI FOREIGN OFFICE. MEETING NEW “SITUATION.” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, November 12. According to the French wireless, the German Foreign Office handed foreign journalists a statement that M. Molotov's visit was the logical outcome of the revolution in the European situation and also of the signing of the* Tripartite Pact. In view of the new situation resulting from developments in the war and also from the Tripartite Alliance, it was necessary to define positively and clearly the position of the Soviet Union. M. Molotov's visit, it was added, has the following aims:— (1) To fix a basis for the political and economic collaboration of the Soviet with the Axis and eventually with Japan. (2) To reconsider the basis of the German-Soviet agreement from the viewpoint of more extensive collaboration. “The visit,” the statement continues, “is particularly significant in the present circumstances because it proves that developments in Europe, notably the signing of the Tripartite Pact have in no way affected Moscow’s and Berlin’s perfect realisation of their respective common interests. German-So-viet collaboration after the signing of the agreement in 1939 became closer and has not suffered the slightest reverse, contrary Ao the allegations of foreign propagandists. It must be emphasised that M. Molotov’s talks to Berlin have no aims in themselves, but are an important phase of perfect and permanent German-Russian collaboration.” The French wireless added that talks in Moscow would probably follow M. Molotov’s return. It quoted the opinion of Moscow political circles that M. Molotov, after his return, would confer with M.M. Tatekawa and Schulenburg, and also with the Italian and Turkish representatives.

Elaborate precautions have been taken in Berlin for M. Molotov's safety. The station was cordoned off and German and Soviet secret police swarmed in the station, where there was little of the usual pomp and circumstance extended to a visiting statesman. The Hitler-Molotov talk lasted for 2J hours. Herr von Ribbentrop is giving M. Molotov a banquet tonight. Only German and Russian notabilities have been invited.

DESTINY OF WORLD INFLATED TALK IN ROME. (Received This Day. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, November 12. The Rome radio, commenting on the Molotov-Hitler meeting, said: “No doubt the coming week will decide the destiny of the world. The Moscow radio and the “Pravda” both insist that Russia intends to maintain neutrality.