BRITAIN ACCUSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20031, 1 September 1939, Page 6

BRITAIN ACCUSED

GERMAN CHARGES,.

“DEFINITE AGGRAVATION 7 ’

MOBILISATION MEASURES POLAND’S PREPARATIONS ALLEGATIONS RESENTED (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) ((Reed. Sept. 1, 1.45 p.m.) BERLIN,, Aug. 31. German quarters describe the British mobilisation measures as a definite aggravation of the situation which they say, has become worse in the last two day’s owing first to Poland’s refusal to enter serious negotiations, secondly to Poland's menace to Slovakia, and thirdly, to Britain’s failure to place concrete proposals before Germany. The German news agency announced to-day that the German Foreign Office had protested to Poland against her alleged action compelling the German Consulates at Llow and Teschcn to close down. The official journal, Dipiomalischc Korrespondenz, accused Poland of preparing world opinion for war in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Polis'h treaty. “By alleging that she was threatened 'by the military preparations in Slovakia Poland is wilfully applying an erroneous interpretation to the treaty,” .states the journal. “Germany cannot neglect this.”

The German law gazette publishes General Keitel’s decrees. putting, the German defence forces under wartime discipline immediately. The decrees mean death or lifelong gaol for deserters with 10 years’ gaol for three days’ absence without leave. It .is authoritatively ’ reported in Berlin that German troops -have taken up strategic positions -on the Slovak-Polish border. It is also re--ported in Berlin that three Polish destroyers were sighted, off Ska-gen It is -believed they were bound for England.