King Country Chronicle. Wednesday, July 5, 1939. THE DANGER SPOT OF EUROPE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4806, 5 July 1939, Page 4

King Country Chronicle. Wednesday, July 5, 1939. THE DANGER SPOT OF EUROPE.

Since the occupation of the Czech States of Moravia and Bohemia following so soon after the pledges of Munich, it has been freely stated in Europe that the next aggressive move must be met, not by appeasement, but by a show of force. It was expected that this aggression would be aimed at Danzig, and now Europe trembles as to whether Herr Hitler intends to effect a coup in that city, or whether he will heed the statements by Lord Halifax that in the event of further aggression Britain is resolved to use the whole of her strength in the fulfilment of her pledges to resist it. Can we read from the headlines that all is still quiet at Danzig, that Herr Hitler is deterred by the strong stand of the Western democracies, or is he merely awaiting the created situation that will give him the excuse to interfere? The manufacturing of such a situation would be even less difficult here than in the Sudetan German areas. Of the 400,000 inhabitants of the Free City of Danzig and its surrounding territory, 90 per cent, are German. After the Great War Poland demanded this territority as a necessary outlet for her commerce, but the League decided that because its population is predominantly German, that it should become a territory under the protection of the League, governed by an elected Assembly and appointed Senate. Poland's commercial rights, essential to her continuance as a State, are preserved by Danzig being a member of the Poland Customs administration. Long before the advent of Nazi regime, Poland established a rival port on the Polish Corridor at Gdynia, but because it lies on the Vistula, Poland’s commercial river, Danzig still remains of prime importance. Even during the currency of the Ger-man-Polish 10-year non-aggression pact, fears were entertained for the future of Danzig, and the denunciation of that pact pointed to the next European crisis; a crisis which now casts fears over the world. What will be the reaction of Poland if there occurs a Nazi coup in Danzig? We are informed by the cables that Polish troops are standing by to occupy the city if this happens. Does Lord Halifax’s speech indicate that if this nappens Britain and also France would be standing by Poland? A Nazi coup will, if not in deed, at least in spirit, be an act of aggression.