NO REPLY FROM SOVIET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20986, 13 December 1939, Page 9

NO REPLY FROM SOVIET

24 HOURS’ DEAD-LINE EXPIRES LEAGUE AND INVASION OF FINLAND PUBLIC KEPT IN IGNORANCE OF PROCEEDINGS CUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 13, 11 a.m.) GENEVA, Dec. 12 The League of Nations’ 24-hour’s dead-line expired without a reply being received from Russia to the League’s proposal for an immediate cessation of hostilities and negotiations under the Assembly’s auspices. Officials say that the Russian reply to the League s request will be considered if it arrives later. Reports are circulating that the Soviet has decided to withdraw from the League. LONDON, Dec. 12 According to an agency message from Moscow, received in London this evening, the public in the Soviet has not been informed of the League of Nations proceedings on the Finnish appeal.

GERMAN INTEREST

LEAGUE OF NATIONS MEETING ANOTHER PEACE OFFENSIVE ANTI-BOLSHEVIK CRUSADE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright' LONDON, Dec. 11 Germany is showing extraordinary interest in the present session of the League of Nations Assembly. Fifteen German journalists have arrived at Geneva, one of whom stated that Germany was not implicated in tne attack on Finland. If the Soviet was thrown out of the League Germany would immediately return, added this journalist. Germany will seek to launch another peace offensive during the League meeting, states the Paris newspaper Le Journal. It publishes “witn reserve,” a report that Hitler is prepared to reconstitute Czechoslovakia, without Sudetenland, to restore Poland in the districts exclusively occupied by Poles, to convert “White” Ruthenia and East Galicia into buffer States, and to take a plebiscite in Austria. Finally, it is suggested that the Allies might join Hitler in an antiBolshevik crusade. Warning in France Other Paris newspapers warn their readers not to listen to suggestions that Hitler is less dangerous than Stalin. One comment is that Hitler's plan is to destroy Communism with the aid of the Allies, then to destroy the Allies with the aid of Italy and Spain, whom he could easily dominate later, but M. Daladier and Mr Chamberlain have seen through the manoeuvre. Most commentators agree that the League can do little to stop Russia and Germany. The Italian press takes the line that Britain and France are afraid to stand up to the Soviet.

DECISION OF URUGUAY WILL REMAIN IN LEAGUE MORAL AND MATERIAL HELP (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Cop'.-rlgbt) LONDON, Dec. 12 The Uruguayan Chamber has decided by 39 votes to 21, to remain a member of the League of Nations. It is believed that Finland will not demand the application of Article XVI of the Covenant, but will merely request moral and material assistance. CHINA’S RELUCTANCE FEAR OF THE SOVIET NEW PHASE IN FAR EAST I United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Dec. 11 In onnection with China’s reluctance L offend the Soviet by giving an adve.se vote at Geneva, power politics in the Far East are assuming a new phase, says the Shanghai correspondent of the New York Times. Chungking sou»res report that Moscow is coupling n r dilatory tactics in her parleys wiu. Tokio with intimations that the tine has arrived for China formally to the independence of the Oute. Mongolian Soviet Republic and form*, "y relinquish Chinese claims to sovi cignty, Moscow is hinting that if China does not do this Russian supplies of arms and aircraft will diminish DENIAL BY GERMANY NOT ASKED TO NEGOTIATE RUMOUR OF PEACE MOVE ( United Press Assn. /-Elec. Tel. CopyrlsDt) (Received /Dec. 13. 1 p.m.) ! ROME, D,ec. 12 A radio states that Berlin has officially Idenied that Hitler arked Molotoff ■ to negotiate peace with Finland. - L.

WHAT IS AT STAKE

THE MARTYRDOM OF MAN PRESS OPINION IN ENGLAND HITLER HELD RESPONSIBLE (OfflClt. VVll#»l«M) (Received Dec. 13, 11 a.m.) RUGBY. Dec. 12 The British newspapers, commenting on the proceedings at Geneva, while unanimously agreeing that Finland’s case is exactly one with which the League ol Nations ex is is lo deal, says it must also be admitted that the conditions of the time could hardly be less favourable for the effective exercise of the League a authority. The Daily Telegraph says: “ Britain and France find themselves in fu‘l agreement on the line to be pursued and it is not surprising that the agreement extends as far as a wish ‘.hat this meeting of the League should finish quickly, as it cannot oe effectual.” Recalling with approval the emphatic terms m which M. Blum has pointed out that for the outrage against Finland Germany’s guilt is at least as great as that of Russia, the Daily Telegraph says: “It was Hitler who led his neighbour, and it is by Hitler’s consent and connivance that he pursues his fell purpose. It may be a hard saying, but it is true that in the present pass the situation will not be saved by moral indignation. The martyrdom of Finland is a grievous spectacle enough, but what is now at stake is something even more hardly to be borne—the very martyrdom of man.” BRITISH VIEWPOINT “WE HAVE NO ILLUSIONS” RUSSIA AND THE LEAGUE SOVIET HINT OF REPRISALS .(Jolted Press Assn.—Elec. Te:. Copyriffii) GENEVA, Dec. 12 With minds focussed upon concretely and materially helping Finland, as being equally important as condemnation of Russia, the League committee continued last night to work on the assumption that Russia will disregard or reject the appeal for mediation. Mr R. A. Butler, British Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, who was responsible for the inclusion of the 24 hours’ time limit, said: “ We have no illusions regarding the outcome.” The telegram to Moscow included a stipulation that Russia should withdraw her troops, and also stated that Finland accepts League mediation. The Latin American States, including Colombia, have agreed, if mediation fails, to support the strongest measures against Russia. The expulsion of the Soviet would, however, directly affect a number of States, including Turkey. Iran and China. Since the Russian representatives, who boycotted the meeting of the Assembly and the Council, indicated that they would regard abstention from voting as tantamount to support for the League’s condemnation or expulsion of Russia, and also plainly hinted at reprisals which would be directed against India. Mr Butler expressed the opinion that sentiment was crystallising against expulsion. He added that Britain would support whatever action the majority should decide upon.

DUTCH NAZI PARTY

ARREST OF 27 MEMBERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyngfet* (Received Dec. 13, 11.10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM. Dec. 12 Twenty-seven members of the Dutch Nazi Party, training militarily in an underground room, were arrested f>r singing the Horstwessel.