DANZIG PROBLEM

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1939, Page 7

DANZIG PROBLEM

RUMOURS OF SETTLEMENT

ITALIAN REPORTS DENIED

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, July 18. Reports of a settlement are most frequent in Ronje. Wcil-mformed Italian circles believe an agreement between Poland and Germany was reached in principle when Herr Hitlei met Herr - Forster. It is understood that the Pope and Signor Mussolini were actively engaged in the negotiations. The Vatican is reported to be favouring the view that the status quo Oi the Free City should remain unaltered until 1944 when, it is hoped, the present tension will have ended. It is also stated that the Italian Minister for Propaganda (Signor Dino Alfleri) went to Munich, bearing Signor Mussolini’s views regarding a ’Danzig settlement. Reports from Berlin, however, say that a settlement is officially .d e “ ietl - Other sources in Rome claim that the Italian people are reluctant to fight for Danzig. 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. A Warsaw message says statements that negotiations have 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 'stated that the Poles will not negotiate any terms until . Herr Hitler withdraws his demand for''the inclusion of Danzig in the Reich.

DISCUSSION DENIED.

(Recd. July 19, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 18.

It is firmly denied in London that ' there has been .any discussion on the possibilities of negotiations between Germany and Poland. Rumours of An-glo-German negotiations are equally without foundation. Both London and Paris are satisfied with Poland’s attitude. A Wrirsaw message stated: Poland insists that any«>gesture to discuss the position must come from Germany. The newspapers continue to stress that General Ironside’s visit aims at preparing a force capable of victoriously resisting any aggression. No date can be fixed for the AngloPofish financial agreement, as the Poles want freedom to buy where they can, in the event of military needs.

FREE CITY QUIET.

DANZIG, July 18.

The city is quiet, although an increasing number of Nazi youths are entering.

The,.Gestapo have arrested 60 members of the Danzig police.

OFFICERS OPTIMISTIC.

(Recd. July 19, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, July 18. <’ Foreign officers are markedly optimistic, concerning the Daiizig situation.

A spokesman said:' “We believe that the question is steering in the direction of a peaceful solution.’’ He denied negotiations with Poland', adding: “Germany’s intentions with regard to the Free City are well known enough to make their restatement unnecessary.”

“NO CHANCE OF COMPROMISE.”

(Recd. July 19, 11 a.m.). ’ • • ‘ DANZIG, July 18

“No Polish compromise regarding Danzig and the Corridor ' has any chance of succeeding,” declares the Danzig “Vorposten,” the editor of which accompanied Herr Forster to Berchtesgaden. He adds that Poland’s impudent attitude is not calculated to establish a basis of negotiation;

Ari authoritative statement issued in Danzig declares that the Fuehrer’s Reichstag address on April 28 made the situation sufficiently clear, and there is no reason to attempt new interpretations.

INCORPORATION DENOUNCED

WARSAW, July 18.

An official communique states that, apart from the manner in which Germany may desire to incorporate Danzig within the Reich, Polish political quarters declare that the incorpoi ation would constitute an inadmissible violation of the present political and juridical state of affairs, and would evoke an appropriate response. The communique followed a suggestion that Herr. Hitler is to be elected as President of the Danzig Senate.

german propaganda. BERLIN, July 18. A spokesman at the Wilhelmstrasse emphatically contradicted the impression that there was a relaxation in the Danzig tension, declaring that nothing had happened to justify such a conclusion. , . « Anti-Polish propaganda m the German Press continues, declaring that Germany’s so-called change of attitude is merely the thinking of others. , .. , Dr. Ley told German workers that Britain was preparing a brutal blockade of Italy and Germany, if they do not submit to British leadership. Britain had purchased Poland as cannon fodder, and would like to purchase Russia. She was prepared to use. her money to seek economic superiority, and starve the German workers and force them to their knees, but Brtiish threats would not shake’the determination of the Danzig Mnzis. It is stated in Berlin that Britain’s only opportunity of improving the position is to cease backing Poland.

FREE ZONE AT TRIESTE.

ROME, July 18.

Germany has been granted a free zone in Trieste, with a Customshouse, in return for a guarantee of a minimum transit of 1,500,000 tons per year.

APPEAL TO CZECHS.

PRAGUE, July 18.

M Havelka, Acting-Prime Minister, has appealed to the Czechs not to nourish false hopes, or to listen to those who declared that war would restore Czechoslovakia. He stressed the advantages of the present union with Germany.