DANZIG AND THE LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 9

DANZIG AND THE LEAGUE

NAZI MINISTER’S ATTACK SITUATION regarded as DANGEROUS ANOTHER SCENE IN GENEVA (tnriTED FUSS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received July 6, 12.30 a.m.) GENEVA, July 5. The league had its third shock in a week of unprecedented sensations when Mr Arthur Greiser (Danzig Foreign Minister) truculently defied the council, arousing widespread resentment. The Nazi Minister’s behaviour is generally regarded as largely explanatory of the problems of Mr Sean Lester (the league’s High Commissioner). It is believed that Mr Greiser, while on his way to Geneva via Germany, saw General Goering, and was encouraged to - make a violent speech. It is also suggested that Mr Greiser’s outburst may be regarded as an indication of Germany’s attitude towards the league.

Mr Greiser’s misdemeanour culminated in an amazing scene when Mr R. A. Eden (the President), after the'' council had adopted a resolution, intimated that Mr Greiser might retire. Mr Greiser walked to a table where Mr Eden was talking to M. Yves Delbos (France) and Mr Josef Beck (Poland), shook hands with the others, and gave the Nazi salute, causing a ripple of hilarity in the public galleries. Mr Greiser, angrily departing, turned towards the press gallery and put his fingers to his nose, arousing such a storm of protest that Mr Eden asked: ‘‘What’s the matter?

When told, Mr Eden replied: “I did not see the incident. I appeal to you to remain seated. . The best way of treating such conduct is to ignore it.” Meanwhile, some of the journalists hurried out with the intention of tackling Mr Greiser, but the police intervened and escorted him outside, amid boos.

The Danzig situation, as a result of Mr Greiser’s recalcitrance, is regarded as so dangerous that the council immediately met privately and appointed a committee of Britain, France, and Portugal, with Mr Eden as rapporteur, to keep in touch with the position, holding itself in readiness to meet within 24 hours, although Mr Eden later returned to London. Mr Greiser, on arrival to attend Hie meeting, was refused admittance because he did not possess the special card issued because of police precautions after the Lux tragedy and I’ne Italian misbehaviours. n-eiser indignantly protested r -d said he had not flown 1200 rules for fun. Such treatment was intolerable. Eventually he was admitted.

Liberty in Danzig

Repeatedly banging his clenched list on the table to emphasise his points, which is a gesture unusual at the league, Mr Greiser aggressively declared: “There is no place in the world where liberty is greater than in Danzig. It would be still great if the league minded its own business and if Mr Lester (the league’s High Commissioner) were amove prudent. Mr Lester’s conduct has enabled a divided false minority shamelessly to terrorise a Nazi majority. Even in wartime I have not seen corpses so hacked about as those of the victims slaughtered by the persons Mr Lester supports.” Mr Greiser demanded that the league either abolish the high commissionership or send a representative who would not interfere in Danzig’s internal affairs. He added: “I speak on behalf of 4000 living Germans. We are not dealing with paragraphs or reports, but living beings, If the league wants to restore confidence it must adopt one of those alternatives, and show that it is a living organisation.” Mr Greiser wound up with a defiant gesture, flinging down his papers on the table and remarking: “Now I feel better.” Delegates obviously resented Mr Greiser’s manner. When he had finished he was loudly booed from the public galleries. Mr Greiser decle d that the fact that opposition newspapers were informed of Mr Lester’s reports before they were available to the Government indicated the attempts of intimidation. He alleged that he was called to Geneva for hidden political motives, including the ItaloAbyssinian war (which is interpreted to mean that the league is using Danzig to divert attention from the war). He added: “I am not surprised that officers of the cruiser Leipzig refused to call on Mr Lester, who was lamentably tactless on the occasion of a former German warship’s visit, I am speaking on behalf of 400,000 Germans, who are not bound by league ties. Blood and race bind them to Germany. Danzigers will not endure the league’s supervision' much longer. If the council doubts that, let them arrange a plebiscite and abide by the result. ‘The league has not helped the Danzig unemployment and economic troubles. For years Nazis have tried to restore order. It is fortune * > that He r Hitler is the greatest statesman of Europe. Marshal Pilsudskl, 1 another great man, assisted us to save Danzig from a terrific explosion. Other Governments must be envious of such leaders.” Mr Eden waited for a translation of the speech from German, after which he pointed out to Mr Greiser that he had been invited out of courtesy to attend the meeting, which in any case had not questioned the action of the Danzig Government. The league, he said, was not responsible for the present Dan2ig regime, but was only carrying put its functions in the interests of Free City and Poland. 1 Eden then adjourned the nieatmg to enable the assembly to with Abyssinia, when the council met again Me . gave an account of his duties, ignoring Mr Greiser’s personalities. Mr Beck said that the agenda ®nly dealt with the Leipzig visit. He would reply to Mr Greiser’s Baaera\ statements later. _Mr Eden regretted the tone of Mr Grcisar’f speech. He said the

proper reply to Mr Greiser’s charges was to express confidence in the manner in which Mr Lester was carrying out his arduous duties.,

The council unanimously carried a resolution requesting Poland to deal with the matter through diplomatic channels, and report to the council at. its next session.

Mr Greiser, addressing the council, said he had not expected any other reply from ths league. “We are accustomed to their dilatoriness,” he said. “I again ask for a revision of Danzig’s relations with the league, not only in the name of Danzigers, but of the whole German people, who look to the council for a decision liberating the president of the Danzig Senate from the necessity of ever appearing here again.” Mr Eden replied: “TTie council is dealing with the agenda. Nothing else,” ' “MR LESTER MUST GQ” OFFICIAL GERMAN VIEW (Received July 5, 10.30 p.m.) BERLIN, July 4. The Nazi official newspaper “Volkischer Beobachter” declares that the league’s High Commissioner in Danzig (Mr Sean Lester) must go. “It is intolerable for Germany to see how the league constantly disturbs the peace by allowing Mr Lester to mix in Danzig’s domestic affairs.” Official and private opinion is unreservedly backing Mr Greiser. Observers believe that the situation involves grave developments, as the prestige of the Nazis is involved to the same degree in the Saar. Hence the demand lor a plebiscite.