NOTE TO GERMANY

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1939, Page 7

NOTE TO GERMANY

DELIVERED BY BRITAIN

Polish Guarantee Reaffirmed (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT,] LONDON, August 23. It is authoritatively stated that Sir N. Henderson (British Ambassador) has presented to Herr Hitler a statement along the lines of the British Cabinet communique last night, that Britain will fulfil her guarantee to Poland. The French and Polish Governments have been advised to this effect. It is understood that the message Sir N. Henderson presented to Herr Hitler is the British reply to a German Note setting forth the German viewpoint on Eastern European questions. The British Associated Press understands that this is the second document within two weeks that has been sent to Mr. Chamberlain. It is understood that the first memorandum was handed to Mr. Chamberlain by a private individual standing close to the Prime Minister, and also enjoying the confidence of the highest Nazi circles.

“VITAL MESSAGE.” LONDON, August 23. There is official confirmation in London that Sir N. Henderson saw Herr Hitler to-day. This has provided a dramatic new turn to the crisis. Sir N. Henderson left Berlin by air at 9.20 a.m., going to Salzburg. Thence he immediately went by motor to Berchtesgaden, and it is understood he was bearing a vital message from Mr. Chamberlain. LORD HALIFAX TO BROADCAST LONDON, August 23. Lord Halifax will broadcast from Downing street at 9.30 p.m. on August ‘24. His speech will be relayed throughout the world. KING RETURNS TO LONDON. London, August 23. The King is returning to London from Balmoral. Queen Elizabeth and the Princesses are remaining in Scotland. An Official Wireless message stated: The announcement that the King is returning to London, which came on the afternoon of a day of great political activity, gave the key to the mood in which the British Government and people are"confronting the anxieties of the European situation. No time is being lost in putting the nation’s constitutional, administrative and defence machinery into a state of readiness to meet any emergency, and to honour the country’s international obligations. Departmental orders issued to-day are forerunners of the legislative provision forecast last night, and which, it may be anticipated from the conference with Mr. Greenwood (ActingLeader of the Opposition) to-day, will prove to be of an agreed-on character. . Messages received in London indicate that these precautionary steps are matched in measures to be taken in othei* parts of the British Commonwealth. The consultations between Mr. Chamherlain and Mr. Greenwood, and between the latter and Sir Samuel Hoare and the Chief Government Whip, who also conferred with the Prime Minister, may be related to the Government’s wish to see the Emergency Powers Defence Bill pass through all stages of both Houses, tomorrow. Sir S. Hoare< also received a deputation from the Trade Union Council, and later saw Mr. Chamberlain. _ 1

Political circles consider it likely that Parliament, on the conclusion of to-morrow’s business, will adjourn again. A further meeting might be called for next- week.

Steps have been taken to place the air-raid system in readiness. All telephones, which are included in the airraid warning system, are to be manned day and night. LORD CHANCELLOR RETURNING. QUEBEC, August 22. Because of the crisis in Europe, the Lord Chancellor (Lord Maugham) has cancelled his plans to open the Canadian National Exhibition, and will return to England on Saturday. Lord Maugham commented: “The conditions in Europe are not as bad as people think. . The non-aggression pact is by no means an indication of close German-Soviet friendship. Russia is probably equally willing to sign similar pacts with a number of nations, including Britain.” BRITISH PRECAUTIONS. | LONDON, August 23. Implementing the Cabinet decision taken last night, sections of the R.A.F. Territorial reserve have been called up this morning. It is believed that the various Army Reserves are being called up during the day, although the calling up in no way amounts to a general mobilisation. „ x , x Official quarters do not confirm that Mr Chamberlain has received a memorandum from Hitler stating, that Danzig is no affair of Britain’s. Sir N. Henderson had a brief interview with Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden, and returned to Salzburg, whence he departed by air, for Berlin. It is reliably stated in Berlin that Herr Hitler told Sir N. Henderson that Germany would not permit the British guarantee to affect her vital rights and claims. The Home Office has instructed the local authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that street lighting can be extinguished at any time, if necessary. The Ulster Government has urgently appealed to local bodies to perfect the A.R.P- organisation, in view of the international situation. A Cairo message stated that all officers of British and Egyptian units have been recalled from leave. A Gibraltar report stated that all the defences have been manned, and the harbour is boomed. Troops are standing by. A message from Malta stated that the barbed-wire defences have been electrified.

I HITLER’S TERMS OUTLINED. “AUTONOMY” FOR POLAND. BERLIN, August 23. The British Associated Press Berlin correspondent says: It is reliably stated that the German note to Britain actually contained a detailed memorandum from Herr Hitler to Mr. Chamberlain, setting out Germany’s position regarding Poland as uncompromising. Mr. Chamberlain decided to reply in the terms of the British Cabinet communique, which has not been published in the German newspapers. Herr Hitler is reported to have declared that, if Poland fought, it would mean her partition, but that if she chose to settle peacefully, Germany will agree to an arrangement somewhat similar to that in the case of Bohemia and Moravia, namely, that Poland should enjoy autonomy, under German protection. Herr Hitler repeated in strong language, that neither Britain nor France was concerned in Germany’s dispute with Poland. ITALY AVERSE TO WAR. ROME, August 23. There are few signs of military activity. A fervent desire to avoid war is expressed by the newspapers, which continue to urge Poland not to commit suicide. • ROUMANIAN NEUTRALITY BUCHAREST, August 23. A Roumanian spokesman announced that Poland was informed a fortnight ago that Roumania declined to be drawn into war for the sake of Poland, despite their traditional friendship.

FRENCH MILITARY MEASURES PARIS, August 23. France has sent thousands of reservists to hei’ frontiers overnight. The French Government is now anxiously awaiting from M. Naggiar at Moscow a report, whereon there will depend the decision as to whether France will break off her Moscow talks. President Lebrun is presiding over a Council of the Ministers at 10 a.m. to-morrow (Thursday). It is expected new decrees will be issued to epable further military measures to be taken. PARIS PRESS COMMENT PARIS, August 23. The Paris Press, while acknowledging that the Soviet-German pact is a tremendous setback, expresses the opinion that the real import of the pact remains to be seen. | Whatever the outcome, it is again I emphasised that Britain and France j will stand firm. Many French papers violently attack what they call “Russia’s duplicity.” They say this has made German aggression a matter only of days and not of weeks. It is foreseen in the Press that Russia is now attempting to create a new European alignment, one enabling her to exert her own guidance in the future balance of power. “Le Matin” says: The only thing which is now inevitable is that Britain and France should allow themselves perpetually to be duped and betrayed, and allow themselves to be made ridiculous in the eyes of the world. POLAND REMAINS CALM. (Received August 24, 1.15 pan.) WARSAW. August 23. British firmness is appreciated in Poland, and there is a complete absence of panic. Cafes and restaurants are filled. There is every confidence in the adequacy of the anti-air-craft defences. The Government denies- that German air-liners were fired on, and describes the German report as a pure fabrication. Balloon barrages have been sent up at various parts of the Polish frontier. There is a good deal of Air Force activity. Commercial machines have been requisitioned. BELGIAN LEAVE CANCELLED BRUSSELS. August 23. Army leave lias been cancelled indefinitely.