BRITAIN INFORMED OF TALK WITH HITLER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 192, 16 August 1939, Page 9

BRITAIN INFORMED OF TALK WITH HITLER.

LEAGUE ENVOY.

Matter To Be Treated With Strictest Confidence.

NO WORD OF PEACE TERMS

British Official Wireless. (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, August 15. Britain has received from Dr. League Commissioner in Danzig, a message concerning the general tenor of his conference at Berchtesgaden with Herr Hitler. This message, and any further communication which Dr. Burckhardt or Poland may make to Britain arising out of Dr. Burckhardt's conversation, will be treated in the strictest confidence and 110 statement will be made on the subject.

In view of many misleading current reports, however, it may be stated that Dr. Burckhardt did not ask for Britain's approval before going to Berchtesgaden. He firstly informed Britain, whose representative at Geneva regularly acts as rapporteur on the League Committee of Three—representatives of Britain, France and Sweden— which deals with Danzig affairs, of this decision.

Others support the view that proposals for a "settlement" of the Danzig issue have been communicated to Britain. No such proposals have been communicated, either by Accordat or from any other quarter. Britain knows nothing of the reported action of Dr. Burckhardt to visit London. Dr. Burckhardt's Special Function. The particular function of this official is to deal with questions arising between Danzig and Poland. He is in close contact with Poland through the medium of M. Chodacki, Polish Commissioner in Danzig. As already announced Dr. Burckhardt has returned to Danzig.

According to a cable message, the Geneva correspondent of the Associated Press of America says the League is willing to abandon "protection" of Danzig, if Poland approves, as a step in the solution of the quarrel with Germany.

Dr. Burckhardt, in Danzig, issued a statement that he is not going to London. He had a brief conversation in Germany about the local Danzig question.

In Berlin, it is stated that Dr. Burckhardt's visit to Herr Hitler was private and at his own request. Newspapers hint that Italy and Germany will no longer postpone suggestions to settle the tension.

Dr. Burckhardt sent a message to the British Government emphasising that this and any further reports were most confidential. No statement is possible, but it is authoritatively stated that Dr. Burckhardt did not discuss the British standpoint with Herr Hitler.

The "JLvening News" says neither Dr. Burckliardt nor any other quarter has submitted the Danzig plan to Britain.

The Associated Press of America representative at Danzig says Dr. Burckhardt hopes to clarify the position later in the day. One of Herr Foerster's intimate followers called on Dr. Burckhardt.