Evening star., 1939-08-22
London
Continued From First Page J


settlement of the Polish-German
dispute by negotiations acceptable
to all parties, but would countenance
no attempt to alter the status by
force.
The German-Soviet move was
seen by British political circles as
major blow to the British French
front at critical turn in European
affairs. 1t also was regarded as a
personal diplomatic defeat for Prime
Minister Chamberlain.
Appeasement Sequel Seen.
Critics Of the Prime Minister de-
clared the development was a direct
sequel of his former policy of "ap-
peasement" They saw it as Russia S
revenge for her exclusion from the
Munich Conference last year.
The German-Ru.sian decision also
was expected to be the first order
of business at the conference of
seven small neutral nations called
for tomorrow by Leopold III, King
of the Belgians, to draft a peace
appeal to the big powers.
The representatives of Belgium
the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden
Denmark, Finland and Luxembourg
Signatories of the now non-existent
Oslo convention for reduction OF
trade barriers-also will consider
wars problems of food and shelter
for civilians and care for the
wounded.
The initial reaction in London and
Paris to last nights startling dis
closures at Berlin and Moscow was
stunned surprise.
' In the London News Chronicle
Maj. Vernon Bartlett, member of
Parliament and writer on foreign
affairs, said, THE signature of the
treaty will undoubtedly be a very
severe blow indeed to Poland in the
first instance and to Great Britain
and France to a scarcely lesser de-
gree"
The London Daily Mail viewed
the agreement as IAN end of the
Franco-Russian treaty for mutual
assistance in event of attack" and
added. "it also cancels out the anti
Comintern pacts entered into by
Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain in
their campaign against Bolshevism. -
Small Nations Alarmed.
The first reaction in the small
countries of Southeastern Europe
was one of alarm. Officials in Hun
gary, Slovakia, Rumania, Bulgaria
and Yugoslavia said the pact might
mark turning point in world his
tory.
One official in the Balkans said.
Poland might just as we'll lay down
her arms" Immediately, adding that
"at least she can escape physical
annihilation in that manner" Com
plete shifts in Europes opposing
camps were seen as likelihood.
Some persons foresaw Poland
squeezed into subjugation by nut
cracker tactics extending to the
small Eastern European countries.
Officials of Slovakia predicted their
little nation would get generous slices
OF Poland for their friendship to
Germany.
Optimism Ruled Till Sunday.
The agreement between Russia
and Germany came at time when
France and Britain had important
military missions in Moscow to ex-
change tactical secrets with Russia
in an effort to conclude a three
power mutual assistance pact.
Up until Sunday, when Germany
and Russia announced the trade
pact that paved the way for the
non-aggression agreement, govern
ment circles here persistently had
expressed optimism for conclusion
of British French Soviet agree
ment.
There had been warnings in Brit
ish circles that Germany, in press
ing the Danzig issue, should not
leave Russia out of her calculations.
The Soviet-German development
topped intense military and diplo-
matte activity which international
circles thought foreshadowed de-
velopment perhaps within a fort
night which might point the way to
peace or war.
Hitler Ultimatum Expected.
Some observers looked for an ulti-
matum from Hitler to Poland either
next Sunday in a speech at Tannen-
berg, or at the Nuremberg Nazi
party Conference which opens
Sept. 2.
The Laborite Daily Herald, urging
that the British cabinet now recall
Parliament from vacation, called
Russia's action "a biggers betrayal
cf peace and European freedom
even than Munich
The Evening Standard suggested
editorially. Moscow is merely seek
ing to play of Berlin against Lon
10 n. @~3, ma T.