THE AXIS POWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1939, Page 10

THE AXIS POWERS

SKETCH OF POSSIBLE TERMS

SENT TO VATICAN

SUGGESTED TALKS BETWEEN FOREIGN MINISTERS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received August 15, 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 14. The hope of a peaceful solution of the Danzig issue has brightened the international outlook. The tone of the Berlin Press, if arrogant, is less menacing. Though the "Giornale d'ltalia" insists that the Salzburg conference, the outcome of which has not yet been disclosed, is a last warning to the democracies, the Italian Press otherwise adopts a wait-and-see attitude.

The German and Italian Embassies to the Holy See have sent identical communications to the Vatican offering a preliminary sketch of terms of a peaceful settlement before tha situation further deteriorates.

The Rome correspondent of "The Times" quotes the communique as re-emphasising the Italo-German desire for peace and to fully solve European differences, for which purpose a truce of thirty days is suggested in order to organise a conference between the British, French, German, and Italian Foreign Ministers. Further, it is suggested that since the British guarantee to Poland contemplates Poland judging whether the casus belli clause should function in the event of her independence being threatened, Britain should transmit to Poland the solution of the Danzig question reached as a result of mutual agreement between the Foreign Ministers and ask whether she considers her independence is threatened thereby. Her reply that it was not would signify her acceptance of the solution, and the truce would then be extended in order to examine the remaining questions. Acceptance of the Axis Powers' proposals should slacken the tension in favour of a peaceful solution. Polish circles regard stories of the formulation of a plan by Count Ciano and Herr yon Ribbentrop, of which the above may be the outcome, as mere kite-flying, inasmuch as Poland firmly adheres to the terms of the speech made by her Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, last May. Meanwhile, the result of Professor Burckhardt's mission to Germany is still undisclosed. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" understands that he wished to learn from Herr. Hitler the terms on which Germany would agree to a settlement of the Danzig Customs dispute, but excludes a suggestion that the visit may envisage a general' settlement. England, France, and Poland are in. constant diplomatic touch in view of the possibility of Professor Burckhardt's visit foreshadowing an attempt to detach Poland from the Western Powers. Professor Burckhardt has returned to Danzig, and the British Government expects shortly to learn the outcome of his interview with the Fuhrer. Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary is awaiting the report with interest.