METHOD OF CHANGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 107, 9 May 1939, Page 9

METHOD OF CHANGE

MATTER; FOR PARTIES CONCERNED

BRITISH ATTITUDE

USE OF PEACEFUL MEANS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received May 9, ll'a.m.) RUGBY, May 8. In a House of Commons answer in reference to the speech by Colonel Beck, Polish Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister said:— "The Government welcomes the terms, at once firm and conciliatory, of the speech recently made by Colonel Beck and has taken due note of the proposals made by him therein." The Premier was asked if at the time of the British guarantee to Poland on March 31 any advice was tendered regarding the desirability of her entering into immediate negotiations or discussions with Germany for an amicable settlement of the future control and status of Danzig and for reasonable communications between the Reich and East Prussia, and whether, in view of the danger to the peace of the world involved in the present state of affairs in the Danzig area, he would impress on Poland the necessity for satisfying British public opinion that every reasonable proposal for equitable settlement of these questions would be welcomed by her. Mr. Chamberlain replied: "The speaker will doubtless read the speech. by Colonel Beck on May 5, from which it is apparent that these questions were already under discussion between Poland and Germany before the date of Britain's assurance to Poland. Poland is, of course, aware that Britain would welcome an amicable settlement, and I have no reason to doubt that she is alive to the importance of the consideration contained in the second part of the question." BRITAIN'S GOOD OFFICES. The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A.' Butler, replying to a question, said that the status of Danzig was regulated by treaty. The question of any change in that status was a matter in the first instance for. the parties most directly interested in the treaty of settlement, and it was for them to agree upon the methods by which they should proceed. It had been repeatedly made clear that Britain stood for the settlement of international differences by friendly negotiation, arbitration, or other peaceful means, and at all times she was ready to lend her good offices at the request of interested parties.