GERMAN TACTICS

BLAMING THE POLES

TALK OF "INVASION"

SNAPPING FINGERS AT BPJTAIN

(By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright.)

(Received August 26, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, August 25.

A statement issued by the official German news agency declares it is now certain that the Poles are planning to attack German territory. The concentration of Polish troops and the military preparations are in no wise defensive. The Poles have brought up much of their cavalry within striking distance of the border. Three Polish assault divisions and an armoured brigade are concentrated on the Prussian frontier. Preparations are noticeable in Upper Silesia. LONDON, August 25. Germany's shifting tactics are easily discernible in the training of every available propaganda gun on Poland's imminent "invasion" of Danzig. A hint of the revival of last year's methods preceding the Sudetenland question was given overnight, and in full blast it was released in this morning's newspapers throughout Germany. It was clear that an intensive campaign was being prepared, as cars during last night carried propaganda officials between the Chancellery and Dr. Goebbels's office. Morning newspapers carry the headlines: "Advance On Own Initiative," "Polish Army Refuses To Obey Warsaw." The British United Press sees in this possibly the last phase of the propaganda designed to lay the blame on Poland when Germany marches in "to restore order from chaos." Well-informed persons m Berlin declare that Herr Foerster's appointment as head of the Danzig State has already removed Danzig from its relationship with Poland, but that it is only the first step aimed at the restoration ..f the Free City. They assert that Herr Foerster will next announce Danzig to be a part of Germany and will call on Herr Hitler to help it against the Polish army, exactly repeating Dr. Seyss-Inquart's role. It is still believed in Berlin that England and France will not fight. An official spokesman- characterises Mr. Chamberlain's speech as weak and negative, adding that Germany is in a position to snap her fingers in Britain's face now that Russia is neutralised.

The "Lokal Anzeiger" sums up the urgency of the situation, declaring: "There is no time to be lost."

The news of Mr. Roosevelt's appeal arrived too late to produce much comment, but it is generally feared that it is certain to fall on deaf ears.

The German public are confident that there will be no European war, although they fear minor trouble over Poland.

In Berlin a semi-official reply to the British statements was made, declaring that Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax have not shown the slightest understanding of German rights and have repeatedly encouraged Poland's provocative attitude and stirred up Polish chauvinism by denouncing the German Press campaign against Poland, minimising the German grievances. If England wished to assume the responsibility for war, that was her affair, but she should cease her hypocritical lamentations about the tragic consequences of her own actions.