EXCITEMENT IN ROME

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22795, 22 August 1939, Page 9

EXCITEMENT IN ROME

REPORTED .PROSPECT OF TALKS INITIATIVE BY COUNT CIANO CONCRETE FORMULA SAID TO BE IMMINENT msrrEß press association— copyright.) (Received August 22, 2 a.m.) LONDON, August 21. Interest in the swiftly-moving European drama, has temporarily shifted to Rome, which is tense with excitement and seething with speculation. Reuter’s reports the possibility of the Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) calling a conference of the British. French, and Polish Ambassadors in a last effort to reach a settlement. British circles deny knowledge of such an initiative, but it is understood that the Ambassadors’ interviews with Cou"t Ciano, which were postponed on Friday, because of the arrival of Count Csaky, will be resumed to-day.

Signor Attolico, Italian Ambassador to Germany, whose negative reply to Hitler’;, vital question is denied by Berlin, arrived from Munich to consult Count Ciano. It is expected that Count Csaky ■will xetom lo Rome to-day to see Count Ciano.

The Associated Press of Great Britain believes that events of recent days indicate that a concrete formula for negotiation is imminent, the rejection or acceptance of which will decide whethei Europe’s problems are. to be solved at the conference table or on the battlefield.

Attention is drawn to the increasing general use of the words “der tag” in Berlin. The “National Zeitung” of Essen, Field-Marshal Goering’s mouthpiece, asks whether the BritishPolish pact will contain a clause under which Britain will regard any change in the political position of Danzig as automatically involving the fulfilment of British obligations. It adds: “The week now commencing will bring a decision in regard ta this, and also many other important questions.” DECISIVE HOUR PREDICTED

Danzig Nazi Leader’s Speech

LARGER ISSUES BETWEEN GERMANY AND POLAND (Received August 21, 2 p.m.) LONDON. August 20. “The hour now Approaches,” said the Nazi district leader, Herr Albert Foerster; when addressing a uniformed' gathering of police in Danzig. “When the hour comes we will win. The Fuehrer will solve the Danzig and Corridor problem in a similar way to Sudetenland.” Dr. Gayda, writing in the "Giornale dTtalia,” states: “Poland has only a few more days to reflect. Does she want to bang the door to a reasonable solution or be overwhelmed in the adventure which threatens her independence? Her real friends should counsel her to turn from Britain and France and try, at the eleventh hour, to make contact directly with Germany. It is evident that the present tension cannot last longer than a few days.” Other newspapers predict that Herr Hitler, either at Tannenberg or. Nuremberg, will issue an ultimatum to Poland to come to terms or fight. , , .“Reynolds News” states that France'has warned the British Government that. unless a defensive alliance with Russia is concluded without further delay, both Poland and Hungary will be in immediate danger of a German. attack; France is insisting that the British military mission in Moscow be given full powers to reach a definite agreement such as are possessed by the French representatives.

Preparations In Germany

The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” states that the Danzig problem has yielded to far larger issues which have suddenly arisen between Germany and Poland. The whole question of the German territories lost to Poland in the war time is being revived, and the plight of the German minority in Poland is receiving ' attention. Polish . Upper Silesia is rich in coal • and heavily industrialised. It is declared that this area must be brought, back to the Reich, in accordance with the principle of self-determination. The Berlin correspondent, of “The Times” states that the belief that Herr Hitler’s plans will soon be executed. .gains strength 'from bigscale military activities which unobtrusively continue. Every able-bodied man in East Prussia has.been called up, and farm houses and; carts have been commandeered. The women have left the farms for ' the towns. The impressment of vehicles is; proceeding elsewhere in Germany, ostensibly for; the approaching motorised manoeuvres. - -. ■ ; ) , Meantime, Berlin officially announces the signature of an agreement by which Germany grants Russia a £■ 16,000,000 credit to buy German goods, principally machinery and electrical equipment., Russia; in . return, is delivering £ls,ooo,ooo'’worth of goods to, Germany in two years, chiefly minerals, 1 oil, arid timber. *