PEACE QUEST

EFFORTS CONTINUE CONFERENCE PLAN SOUNDINGS REPORTED HOLY SEE ACTIVITIES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 18, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17 The British Ambassador to Italy, Sir Percy Loraine, called on the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, to-day, says the Borne correspondent of the Times. The impression that peace soundings continue is reinforced by a conversation between Cardinal Maglione, Vatican Secretary of State, and the Polish Ambassador to the Holy See, and simultaneous conversations between other prelates and members of the Italian and German Embassies. British circles in Rome state that Count Ciano was optimistic during his conversation with Sir Percy Loraine. Suggestions for a four-Power conference over Danzig, says a British official wireless message, whirli have been can-

vassod in the foreign press in the past few days, and currency to . which is reported to have been "given,, among others, by Mr. Hamilton Fish, United States Senator, who met the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, in Germany, continue to be the subject of unfavourable comment in the newspapers. It can be stated that no plan for such a conference as is recommended in these reports has been officially brought to the notice of London, where the inclination is to regard the reports as incidents in a campaign of rumour designed to maintain tension and divert attention from the incontrovertible facts of the situation. Official Status of Free City German pressure on Poland, the mobilisation of the Gorman Army and Germany's encouragement of the Danzig Senate in its demands . figure no less prominently among these factors than do reciprocal undertakings among the pea'cc front . Powers. Yesterday's preliminary conversations in Danzig between M. Chodacki, Polish Commissioner, and Herr Greiser, President of the Danzig Nazi Senate, also take a place in the events of which, as distinct from rumours, note is taken here. The Times comments that it would, of course, bo beyond the province of these officials, who hold posts within the framework of the present Danzig system, to discuss officially any suggestions for a modification of the status of the Free City. Poland's Right to Consultation That larger issue, raised by Herr Hitler, could only be usefully discussed by plenipotentiaries of the countries concerned—in the first instance Poland and Germany, adds the Times. In no circumstances can useful discussions be imagined at which Poland is not fully and formally represented. After .discussing the recent history of the Danzig question, the Times emphasises the desirability of having the whole position regularised, and adds: "Nothing whatever can be done without Poland's full agreement. That is the fundamental condition which concerns this country, and on which it is irrevocably united. "There must be an end of intimidation and intimidatory propaganda, which can only be met by increased preparations for self-defence on the other side." The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express says that General Goering and Herr Himmler are holding a conference with Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden in an endeavour to find a peaceful solution of the Danzig and Polish Corridor, questions.