SOVIET & NAZIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1941, Page 9

SOVIET & NAZIS

THE NEW AGREEMENTS

,i COMMERCIAL AND OTHER i QUESTIONS. I INFLATED GERMAN CLAIMS (British Official Wireless. l rtUGBY. January 11. Newspapers record the signature of agreements between Russia and Gerj many, aiming at increasing their com- . mercial exchanges and regulation of matters of common concern (includj ing questions of frontier delimitation» iin north-eastern Europe. The reports | contain very few details, and official j quarters in London have no further j information and make no comment. [ Among journalists and other informed j observers hero, the chief first inipres- ' sion is that the agreements contain ; nothing new of a political character, j Recent events have overshadowed I the memories of M. Molotov's visit to I Berlin in the autumn, when Axis propaganda led an expectant world to believe that decisions of a far-reaching effect might bo taken. M. Molotov departed to the accompaniment of a brief tormal communique, leaving to experts the elaboration of agreements on a) number of practical questions between Germany and Russia. The experts laboured nt length and the results do not 1 appear to differ materially from what} was then expected. There is a difference of emphasis in Berlin and Rome on the one hand and i in Moscow on the other in announcing; these agreements. While they are represented by the Axis as a shattering blow to Mr Churchill. Moscow commentators say they are directed against no other power, being in accordance with M. Stalin's policy of peace.

LONDON COMMENT

RUSSIA AVOIDING QUARREL

LONDON. January II

The "Sunday Times" says that there is a widespread impression in London that the Russia-German pact is a disappointment to Germany. Russia apparently does not wish to quarrel with Germany over non-essentials, being content to continue to provide Germany with oil. cotton, timber, manganese ore and other raw materials. Russian exports of cotton to Germany last year were four times greater than in 1939.

“PILLARS OF PEACE’’

RUSSIAN PAPERS ON PACT.

MOSCOW. January 11

"Pravda" says: "Despite enemies, who tryy to drive a wedge between us. Soviet Russia intends to pursue n peaceful policy toward Germany, and toward any country exercising a sane attitude toward the Soviet."

"Investin'’ comments: "Leading politicians in Britain and the United States of .America think that while the United States is permitted to sell everything to Britain, including warships, and still remain neutral. Soviet Russia is infringing the neutrality laws merely by selling grain to Germany. This is juggling with neutrality and international law, and Russia intends to ignore such an attitude. The fad is that stabilised economic relations between the world's two greatest countries constitute them the main pillars of peace in the world."

‘'lz.vestia" states that Russia intends in 1941 to conclude economic treaties and agreements with belligerent and non-belligerent States.