Non-aggression pact between Germany and Turkey. This is our reward for not mopping up Syria quickly. From now on the Turkish press will be turned against us, and this will have its effect on the Arab peoples.
The Derby was run yesterday, at Newmarket, and apparently attended by enormous crowds. Even the Daily Express was derisive about this. The Evening Standard has been declaring that Hitler must invade Britain within 80 days and suggesting that the manoeuvres in Eastern Europe are probably a mask for this – but this, I think, with the idea of frightening people into working harder.
The British government has ceased issuing navicerts[1] to Petsamo and stopped three Finnish ships, on the ground that Finland is now for all purposes enemy-occupied territory. This is the most definite indication yet that something is really happening between Russia and Germany.
[1] Ships of neutral countries (such as Finland) could be issued with certificates by consular officials stating that the ship and its cargo should be allowed free passage without being boarded and searched. Peter Davison
Orwell Diaries 1938-1942 
i’m so excited to see what you think of germany/russia just three days from now. it’s going to blow your mind, i know it.
Andrew, I share your excitement…
He is certainly on to it.
BTW : ‘navicerts’? Not a term I had heard before, and one which perhaps appealed to Orwell for its NewSpeak-style construction.