October 26, 1939; NAZI'S ACCUSED OF URGING RUSSIA TO JOIN WAR:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, OCTOBER 26, 1939:

Von Ribbentrop Is

Given Answer In
Defiant Manner

Prime Minister Says

Britain Is Prepared To
Pursue War To End; Russian
Envoy Laughs At Accusation
By EDWIN STOUT
LONDON, Oct. 26—W—Germany was accused by Prime Minister Chamberlain today of inviting Soviet Russia "to join a crusade against the British Empire" in the war which he indicated Britain was ready to pursue to the end.

The prime minister, giving his eighth weekly war report to the House of Commons, replied directly to the Danzig declaration of German Foreign Minister Joachim Von Ribbentrop that Germany would make a finish fight. "There can be but one reply," said Chamberlain, "and we are prepared to give it."

His accusation that Germany sought to bring Russia into the war against Britain brought laughter from Soviet Ambassador Ivan Maisky who was listening from the diplomatic gallery.

Confirms Stonegate Sinking
Chamberlain gave official confirmation that the German pocket battleship Deutschland sank the British freighter Stonegate, indicating that the swift warship was operating on the high seas far outside the British blockade.

 

Britain Shows Its

Desire To Keep
Russia's Goodwill

By EDWIN STOUT

LONDON, Oct. 26—W—The British government partly excused Russia's share in the partition of Poland today 'as it was pressed in both houses of parliament to seek once more Russian friendship for the British-French alliance.

Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax declared that Russia had occupied eastern Poland only after Germany had "started it and. set the example" and that the new frontier thereby established was "substantially the boundary" recommended by a British delegate at the time of the Versailles conference.

Lord Halifax said Britain's pledge to Poland has been only "to provide against the case of aggression by Germany though he admitted "it is quite true that it makes no difference to the Poles whether they are invaded from the east or west."

In both houses the call was made for a quick understanding with Russia—in the upper by Lord Listonwel, opposition Laborite, and in Commons by Sir Archibald Sinclair, opposition Liberal leader.

Lord Listowel urged the recognition of Russian occupation of eastern Poland at not too high a price "for the goodwill of a first class power in wartime."

 

Nazis See Soviet

Action As Protest
Against Blockade

Russia Rejects Britain's

Contraband List, Claiming
It Violates Principles Of
International Law

BERLIN, Oct. 26.—(AP)—The German press today interpreted Soviet Russia's rejection of Britain's contraband list as a "sharp protest against blockade warfare" which might lead to serious trouble between the two powers.

Propaganda Minister Paul Joseph Goebbels' newspaper Der Angriff said "Moscow's note contains a clear warning susceptible of causing far reaching consequences unless it is observed."

The paper declared Britain has two alternatives — either to alter her contraband list or take the consequences which might result from any seizure of Russian ships.

Her Angriff said "A decisive word has been spoken. "Soviet Russia established in this note that England's method of conducting war contradicts all international conventions relating to wartime sea commerce.

"England's methods are nothing more than open piracy, made no better by the fact that it is practiced by a great sea power."

Claims Britain Covering Up
Meantime a German –spokesman hinted today that Great -Britain- was not telling the whole story of the cost in British: tonnage of 'the bitter war at sea.

 

Assurance Given

Of Safety Of
U. S. Crew Of 42
German Sources In Berlin
Promise Full Explanation
Of Ship's Situation; Hamburg
Court May Decide Case

BERLIN, Oct. 26—m- -Authoritative Germans declared today that Soviet Russia had agreed to allow the United States steamer City of Flint to leave-the port of Murmansk in charge of her German prize crew as soon as they considered the vessel seaworthy.

A spokesman indicated the vessel would be brought to Germany as a prize. "The German prize crew will get aboard again," he said, "and you may rest assured the ship will not be headed for the United States."

The United States embassy said the German foreign office at noon (5 a. m. CST) had "informally communicated" to the embassy that the City of Flint e:vtere< Murmansk because she had suffered "havarie" (sea damage) and that her American crew ' was safe and unhurt. Sources close to the foreign office indicated that the communication' was oral.

U. S. Crew Safe
(In Moscow, United States Ambassador Laurence A. Steinhardt said he had been assured the City of Flintt's crew of 42 was safe aboard.

Tass, Soviet news agency, said the vessel was taken to Murmansk after a brief .halt at Treimsoe, Norway, because her machinery had been damaged.)