SOVIET ATTITUDE OUTLINED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20950, 1 November 1939, Page 7

SOVIET ATTITUDE OUTLINED

STRONG CRITICISM OF BRITAIN ‘GERMANY IS STRIVING FOR PEACE’ CONTINUATION OF WAR CONSIDERED SENSELESS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 1, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31 M. Molotoff began speaking at 7.45 p.m., Moscow time, before the joint session of both Chambers of the Supreme Soviet Council in St. Andrew’s Hall of the Kremlin, says a report received from the Moscow correspondent of the British United Press.

The session voted on the Agenda, comprising reports on the foreign policy and the reports of the West Ukrainian and Western White Russian delegates.

Denouncing Britain as an aggressor, M. Molotoff declared: “Germany is striving for peace. The continuation of the war for the restoration of Poland is senseless.”

Discussing the chances of Russo-German relations, due to the partition of Poland, M. Molotoff declared: “The Polish rulers boasted of their might, but the Russian and German armies swiftly shattered them. Poland—this monstrous product of the Versailles Treaty—was crushed, and Britain and France brought no help. We are net aware what guarantee they gave Poland.

“This war will make fundamental iLanges in Europe and the whole world. The traditional policy of unprincipled Russian and German manoeuvring playing off one against the other has suffered complete bankruptcy. We now have friendly relations between us, as reflected in the Moscow Treaty of September 28. This radical change w'ill affect the entire international situation.

“Britain and France, although aware that a continuance of the war for Poland is absurd, do not desire it stopped. They seek new excuses to prolong the war with Germany. The British and French ruling circles attempt to appear as champions of the rights of democracy and anti-Hitlerism.

“Britain announces that its war aim is the destruction of Germany. Germany is now striving for peace, but the British nation, which until yesterday was anti-aggression, is now for war. It is not only senseless but criminal to wage such a war for the destruction of Hitlerism, camouflaged as a fight for Democracy.

“The fear of Germany’s claims to British and French colonies is at the bottom of the war. The war between Germany and the Anglo-French bloc is only in the first stage. It has not yet really developed. The changes which it would cause would make old formulas inapplicable. This must be remembered in judging the new European situation.”