IN POLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 5

IN POLAND

DANZIG WANTED

A POSSIBLE NAZI MOVE (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright), BERLIN, May 1. It, is stated here that the return of Danzig to the Reich will not lead Herr Hitler’s list of demands. The German press has begun a violent campaign against Poland. It is reminiscent of the campaigns against Czechoslovakia and Austria. It is reported that Germany has demanded a 15 mile wide lane through the Polish Corridor to Danzig. POLAND’S DENIAL, LONDON, April SO. Official circles in Warsaw are most astonished at Herr Hitler’s reference to a 25 years’ non-aggression offer, and declare that they have no knowledge of it. Polish circles state that, before the German invasion of Bohemia and Moravia- Poland and Germany agreed that Danzig, in future, would be under a joint guarantee, but, after the invasion Germany made wider and unacceptable proposals.

The Polish Ambassador went to Warsaw, to inform the Government of German-Polish relations.

NEVER HEARD OF. WARSAW, May 1. It is officially stated here that the Polish Government has not heard of the German proposals to Poland which Herr Hitler claimed had been delivered before his speech. POLAND’S DESIRE. LONDON, May 1. Th e “Gazeta Polska,” the Polish Government’s official organ, declares: The German attitude creates a situation .which is forcing Poland to go farther in her demands concerning the status of Danzig than she went when concluding her 1934 pact with Germany.

The demands' of Poland are not specifically stated, but the Warsaw correspondent of “The Times” says: There is reason to believe that the demands of Poland include the transference of the Sanctions of the League of Nations’ Commissioner for Dfinzig to the Polish Government.

MILLION UNDER ARMS

WARSAW, May I

At a conference between the Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, President Moseicki, and the Premier of Poland, M. Skladowski, it was decided to keep about one million men under arms throughout the summer, and not to relax any of the defence measures taken during the March crisis. A POLISH INVITATION. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) WARSAW, May 1. General Smigly-Ridz, Inspector General of the Polish Army, has invited the commander-in-chief of the Lithuanian Army to visit Poland for staff talks.

ENGLAND IN CLOSE CONTACT.

(Independent Cables)

(Received this day at 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 1

It is learned authoritatively that England and Poland are in closest contact on all implications of Hitler’s speech.

A Whitehall spokesman said he fully recognised that Poland did not wantwar, but could fight only on a serious issue. England and France would assist immediately.

Meanwhile it is learned that Col. Beck informed England and France that he is confident that a peaceful solution of the Danzig problem could be reached.