NEW AGREEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 105, 6 May 1939, Page 9

NEW AGREEMENT.

TALKS WITH BRITAIN. Parallel Declarations By France. GERMANY'S BROKEN PACT. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 5. Colonel Beck said the weakening of collective international institutions and the complete revision of the method of intercourse among nations had resulted in the opening up of mativ new problems in different parts <>f tho world. That process and its ie>ults had in recent months reached I In- borders of Poland. 'As far as we are concernc 1," saidi I olonel licrk, ' tlie most seriou-i events' • ia\e occurred. Our contacts with some j lowers have become easier and more' |a otontid. whereas in other instances -erhni-; ilillii'till ies have arisen. I he agreement between Britain and Poland is based on the principles of mutual assistance in tiie event of direct or indirect menace to the independence of either country. The form and character of the comprehensive conversations in London were particularly valuable to the agreement. I would like to encourage public opinion to know I found British statesmen to have a profound knowledge of the general and political problems of Europe. Their attitude toward Poland permitted me to discuss all vital problems with frankness and confidencc and without reservation.

"It was possible to establish the principles of collaboration between llritain and Poland in the first place because we made clear to each other the intentions of both Governments in accordance with basic European problems, and, secondly, because neither Britain nor Poland has any aggressive intentions, but both are determined to defend the basic principles of the conduct of international life.

"The parallel declarations of the Flench leaders confirm that France and Poland agreed that our defensive pact not only cannot be affected adversely by a changed international situation, but constitutes one of t lie essential elements of the political structure of Kurope."

Referring to Herr Hitler's denunciation of the I'olo-German Pact because Germany objected to the agreement between Britain and Poland, Colonel licek said: ''The Polo-German Pact attempted to give a better course to history. It attempted to remove the unwholesome atmosphere of daily clashes and wider hostile, designs, and to rise above centuries-old animosities.

"Poland's policy proved her respect for (lie implications of the pact, and so i(-s denunciation is not insignificant. It had already lost its real character because there appeared to be a tendency to interpret it as limiting the freedom of Polish policy or as a ground for demanding from Poland one-sided concessions contrary to her vital interests.

"(lor mariv denounced the treaty without consulting the British and Polish Governments concerning the character of their agreement. It would not have been difficult to do this, because I expressed my willingness to receive the German Ambassador immediately after my return from London, but the Ambassador did not call until that morning." Parliament voted emergency powers to the Government until November 1, enabling it to deal with all economic, linancial and defence matters without Parliamentary sanction. It also carried with acclamation a resolution approving of Colonel Heck's speech, the Ukranian deputies joining in. Only a few hundred gathered to hear street broadcasts of the speech. RIGHTS OF DANZIG. SELF-DETERMINATION CLAIM. (Received 12 noon.) BERLIN, May 5. Tt, is officially denied that Herr (;reiser and Herr Foereter are at Berchtesgaden. The Polish Note was delivered at the Foreign Office tivo minutes before Colonel Beck spoke It replies to the denunciation of the Polo-German pact in almost identical terms to the Minister's speech. Official comment on the speech is unlikely at present. A statement to the foreign Press declared that Colonel Heck disregarded that the right of selfdetermination of the people of Danzig must have a part in deciding Danzig's future. Poland cannot claim influence in Dnn/.ig merely because it is at the mouth of the Polish river. The Polo-German treaty was signed in the spirit of friendship, and must lie invalided when one of the partners makes alliances with Powers inimical to the other. "The Times" Berlin correspondent -lava that despite denials it is reliably stilted that Herr Foerster has been in .Munich to-day. Evening papers do not publish Colonel Beck's speech, and there is no reference to it. They continue to warn Poland against intransigeance as if there had been no speech. STEPS TAKEN. Germany Seeking Russian Aid Against Poland. ITALY'S CONSENT WANTED. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. "The Times" Rome correspondent savs well-informed circles believe that Germany will refrain from going to the last extreme with Poland. It is authoritatively asserted that if fails to get what she wants by negotiation she will approach Russia, the first steps to which have already been taken with a view to squeezing Poland with Russian help. It remains to obtain Italy's consent, for which purpose Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, and Herr von Ribbentrop. German Foreign Minister, are jneetin 0 '.