GERMANY AND POLAND

Evening Star, Issue 23322, 19 July 1939, Page 9

GERMANY AND POLAND

FUTURE OF DANZIG AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE REPORTED FROM ROME Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 17. Reports of a settlement are most frequent in Rome, where well-informed circles believe that an agreement between Poland and Germany was reached in principle when Herr Hitler met Herr Foerster, the leader of the Nazis in Danzig. It is understood that the Pope and Signor Mussolini are actively engaged in the negotiations. The Vatican is reported to be favouring the view that the status quo of the Free City should remain unaltered until 1944, when it is hoped that the present tension will have ended. It is also stated that Signor Afiferi, Italian Propaganda Minister, went to Munich bearing Signor Mussolini’s views with regard to a Danzig settlement. Reports from Berlin, however, say that the reports of a settlement have been officially denied. Other Rome sources claim that the Italian people are reluctant to fight for Danzig, and the Italians are not sympathising with German expansionist aims. Anti-German feeling is especially evident in Trieste, where Italian trade has been severely hit by the German occupation of Austria.

WARSAW DENIES REPORT 1 GERMAN PROPAGANDA MOVE. ‘ WARSAW, July 18. Statements that negotiations have been begun for a settlement of the Danzig dispute are described as a move by German official propagandists, aimed at dividing Britain and Poland. It is pointed out that the Poles will not negotiate any terms until Herr Hitler withdraws his demand for the inclusion of Danzig in the Reich. BERLIN OPTIMISTIC PEACEFUL SOLUTION HOPED . FOR. BERLIN, July 18. (Received July 19, at 10 a.m.) Foreign officers are markedly optimistic concerning the Danzig situation. The Spokesman said: “We believe that the question is steering in the direction of a peaceful solution.” He denied negotiations with Poland, adding that Germany’s intentions with regard to the Free City were well known enough to make restatement unnecessary. ; THE CITY QUIET . DANZIG, July 18. (Received July 19, at 10 a.m.) The city is quiet, although an increasing number of Nazi youths is entering. The Gestapo arrested at least 60 members of the Danzig police. HITLER'S FORMER PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REPEATED. DA.NZIG, July 18. (Received July 19, at 11 a.m.) “ No Polish compromise, over Danzig and the Corridor has any chance of succeeding,” declares the Danzig ‘ Vorposten.’ “In reply to rumours from Warsaw we say that the Fuhrer’s generous proposals which Poland rejected will not be repeated. It must be clear that Poland’s impudent attitude is not calculated to establish a basis for negotiation.” An authoritative statement issued at Danzig declares that the Fuhrer’s Reichstag address on April 28 made the situation sufficiently clear, andl there was no reason to attempt a new interpretation POLAND'S ATTITUDE UNCHANGED WARSAW, July 18. (Received July 19, at 11 a.m.) An official communique states that, apart from the manner wherein Germany may desire to incorporate Danzig within the Reich, Polish political quarters declare that incorporation would constitute inadmissible violation of the present political and juridical state of affairs and would evoke an appropriate response. The communique followed the suggestion of Herr Hitler being elected President of the Danzig Senate. FIRST MOVE MUST COME FROM GERMANY WARSAW, July 18. Poland insists that any gesture to discuss the position must come from Germany. The newspapers continue to stress that the visit of Sir AVilliam Ironside (Inspector-General Overseas Forces) aims at preparing a force capable victoriously of resisting any aggression. CREDITS FOR POUND THE LONDON FINANCIAL AGREEMENT. LONDON, July IS. (Received July 19, at 1 p.m.) No date can be fixed for the AngloPolish financial agreement, qs the Poles want freedom to buy where they can in the event of military needs.

LONDON REFUTES RUMOURS LONDON, July 18. (Received July 19, at 1 p.in.) It is firmly denied in London that there has been any discussion on the possibilities of negotiations between Germany and Poland. Rumours of Anglo-German negotiations arc equally foundationless. Both London and Pans are satisfied with Poland’s attitude.