CRITICAL TIME

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 49, 26 August 1939, Page 9

CRITICAL TIME

Tannenberg Speech

Cancelled

Because of Tension

Several Frontier Incidents

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received August 26, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 25.

The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that sources close to Marshal Goeriftg declare that M. Molotov, Soviet Foreign Commissar, has already embarked on efforts to induce Poland to agree to an eleventh-hour solution. It is reported to be because of this that Herr Hitler withheld his hand at the moment when everyone expected an invasion. An indication of how close Germany was to action last night is provided by the revelation that every radio station was suddenly switched on to an identical programme, which is done only when most important pronouncements are imminent. The German official news agency announced: "By reason of the tense situation, the solemn ceremony which had been arranged to take place at Tannenberg will not take place." (It had been arranged that Herr Hitler should make a speech at Tannenberg at 11 a.m. on August 27.) An earlier report from Berlin stated that Herr Hitler was reported to be in high spirits. He was said to be putting the finishing touches to his Tannenberg speech. It was believed he would state his case on •August 27 and act on August 28, but others considered that he would issue an ultimatum clearing up the situation at the party congress. There was said to be just a chance that he might announce a peace offer necessitating radical changes throughout the world. Polish official circles in Washington declare that Poland cannot negotiate through Russia because the Russian move is not a genuine peace gesture but merely a new method to present the German demands, and probably an attempt to jockey Poland into appearing to be opposed to a peaceful settlement. RETURNING BRITONS OPTIMISTIC. Airliners are cramijied with Britons returning from the Continent. Those coming- from Germany are optimistic, and say that nothing will happen until Poland starts shooting. Warsaw reports that the Polish Ambassador in Berlin protested against five frontier incidents which are alleged to have occurred during the day. Germans report that Poles fatally shot seven Germans and one Czech at Bielitz. Moscow reports that members of the British military mission saw Marshal Voroshilov, but declined to confirm or deny a report that the Soviet is seeking a peaceful solution of the Danzig dispute. A message from Berlin states that all communication with Berlin has been cut off. German commercial vessels have been ordered to remain in the harbours, but there is still hope that there will be no action before Monday.