EASTWARD DRIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 8, 11 January 1939, Page 11

EASTWARD DRIVE

THE GERMAN PLANS

ASSURANCE TO POLAND

"NOT DIRECTLY

HOSTILE"

(By'"Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received January 11, 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, January 10i

The "Daily Telegraph's" Warsaw correspondent states that he is reliably informed that Colonel Beck has been reassured that Germany's plans for East Europe are not directly hostile to Poland. This is interpreted to mean that the plans will not be hostile to Poland in their early stages.

He adds that, assuming that Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Rome does not cause a drastic revision, Herr Hitler intends to extend German political and economic influence to the Soviet frontier, but>not across Poland, Latvia, and Estonia, to afford contact with Russia. The road to Bessarabia lies through Ruthenia.

It seems to be assumed that Germany's East European plans can be realised by strong diplomacy, backed by the German propaganda machine, Herr Hitler protecting his rear by means of an air pact with Britain and France.

"The Times" correspondent at Bucharest states .that Signor Ciano, Count Csaky, Colonel Beck, and M. Stoyadinovich will meet shortly at Belgrade, and may conclude a gentlemen's agreement between Italy, Hungary, Poland, - and Yugoslavia, to be a substitute for the Rome protocol.

He adds that Rumania is anxious to check German expansion to the southeast and is therefore in favour of an agreement.