RESPITE AT DANZIG

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 16, 19 July 1939, Page 11

RESPITE AT DANZIG

OFFICIAL OPINION

"PERIOD BETWEEN CRISES"

LONDON. July 11

The belief that Hcrr Hitler will not strike immediately is responsible for the present Anglo-French handling vl the Danzig situation. Delay in a

protest to Germany by Poland against the militarisation of Danzig is be-

lieved to be a result of the British Government's attitude that, although it is ready to fulfil its obligations, it would welcome caution.

The Polish Ambassador in London, Count Raczynski, is reported in Warsaw to have told the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, that the feeling in London was that Poland should not run the risk of precipitating a conflict until the situation made action unavoidable.

In some circles in Warsaw these representations are reported to be :n the nature of pressure, but it is unanimously regarded as certain that the Polish Government, while abandoning its protest reluctantly, has decided on limits which the Nazis in Danzig must, at all costs, be prevented from overstepping.

WARNING TO BE READY.

Critics of the British Government, however, are inclined to wonder whether the belief that Herr Hitler is granting the world a respite is soundly based. They ask when the Government received this vital information and how long the probable duration of the respite will be, and warn the Government not to relax its war preparations. These colossal nation-wide preparations certainly will not be influenced. Indeed, their tempo is increasing every day.

Although all parties share the official opinion that Europe has now entered a period between crises, and signs are indicating a temporary quiescence, nobody dares to predict the duration of the respite, having had vivid acquaintance with Herr Hitler's technique.

POSSIBILITY OF NEGOTIATIONS

The question is being asked whether there is a belief that the respite is influencing the Russian negotiations or whether the delay in the negotiations is influencing the supposed respite.

The Tokio talks must bo regarded another factor with a possible influence on European events.

There is a considerable body of opinion based largely on reports from British, French, and other observers on the spot in Danzig that the Danzig dispute may yet be capable of solution by direct negotiations, between Poland and Germany, provided Germany renews the offer she once made to guarantee Poland's present frontiers, subject to a fresh agreement on Danzig and a German Corridor.

Such a turn of events would completely and instantly remould the international outlook anJ, while many reliable students on the scene deny the possibility of Herr Hitler undergoing a "change of heart," shrewd observers emphasise that there is always cool calculation shrouded by heated language in the German policy.