BRITAIN AND POLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 192, 16 August 1939, Page 18

BRITAIN AND POLAND.

I suggest the real intentions of Mr. Chamberlain's Gove nnient were revealed on the morning a ter the guarantee to Poland by "The Times," which said in its leader: "The new obligation which this country yesterday assumed does not bind Great Britain to defend every inch of the present frontiers of Poland. The key word in the declaration is not 'integrity' but independence." So there you have it. The assurance meant nothing at all, unless the Poles fight. That might alter everything. Like Czechoslovakia, so Poland means us. The assurance given by Mr. Chamberlain was that if "diu-ing the period of negotiation there should Ik> any action which clearly threatens Polish independence and which the Polish Government considers it vital to resist with their national forces. His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support- in their power. I suggest this means that Poland should yield by negotiation. Xo more unpleasant overnight invasions. It goes only a little farther than the solemn warning given to Germany in May, 1938 about Czechoslovakia—and where is Czechoslovakia to-day? I seriously suggest the rulers of England will facilitate the disappearance of Poland, and so once more help Germany to territorial aggrandisement, and make her stronger still for the final reckoning with England. Once again the British Empire faces war or capitulation. The danger of a German ultimatum has been drawing dailv nearer. "HEILT HITLER."