UNCONDITIONAL DEMAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 19, 22 July 1939, Page 9

UNCONDITIONAL DEMAND

CAN BE ACHIEVED PEACEFULLY

HERR HITLER'S CONVICTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) (Received July 22, 10.40 a.m.) BERLIN. July 21. The official spokesman, in a special statement, said: — "We reject a warlike solution of Danzig1 by a hundred pc: •ent. We maintain our demands for the unconditional return of Danzig* to the Reich, but Herr Hitler is convinced that this can be achieved peacefully. Herr Hitler and the Government are detemined to achieve the return of Danzig. We do not desire to create a crisis as a means of solving1 the problem, and we definitely do not expect any so-called August crisis." Referring to Germany's military measures, he said: "We cannot overlook the possibility of a non-peaceful solution, despite our wishes and intentions. Whatever military measures we have taken or may take are not a threat, but purely defensive preparation.'' In reply to a question as to how long Germany is willing to wait for a peaceful solution, the spokesman answered: "Not years, but probably months. The German view is that the Postelau incident (the wounding of a Polish border guard by a Danzig Customs official) is closed." The spokesman indicated that Germany expected the Poles ultimately to yield, perhaps agreeing to a general Polo-German settlement, including such points as a German guarantee of the frontiers. The Nazis, he said, were convinced that when the time came, Britain would urge Poland to make concessions. The spokesman added that he was reflecting most faithfully the attitude of Herr Hitler and his Government. Though the belief persists that Britain is bluffing, it is expected that she will go further than she did at Munich, but that finally she would not fight for Danzig. Dr. Ley, director of the Nazi organisation, who has just arrived from Berchtesgaden, said: "The Fuhrer does not think of war, but desires peace and order."