NEWS AND NOTES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4806, 5 July 1939, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES

An authorised Wilhelmstrasse spokesman, says a Berlin message, stated that Germany has no intention of forcing matters at Danzig and has no desire to go against the territorial integrity of Poland.

The latest news from Danzig states that the situation is unchanged. Reports are filtering in of additional German munitions arriving. It was understood that M. Chodacki, Polish Commissioner at Danzig, after conference at Warsaw, would return to present a Note to the Senate protesting against the militarisation of the Free City, but he returned unexpectedly.

As the result of publicity given cables from New Zealand reporting the development of a “black market” for New Zealand pounds, New Zealand bonds fell sharply. . Declines ranged from one to three points.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, told Mr, Hugh Dalton (Lab.) who spoke of the calm courage and self-control being displayed by Poland in the face of great provocation, 'that Britain must appreciate Poland’s attitude. Mr. Chamberlain was answei'ing a question following a statement on the Danzig position, in which he said: “Reliable reports indicate that extensive measures of a military character are being carried out in the Free City. Large and increasing numbers of German, nationals recently arrived in the Free City, ostensibly as tourists, and a local defence corps is being formed under the name of the Heimwehr.

At the opening of the inquiry into the sinking of the submarine Thetis, the Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, said that before the Thetis submerged, Lieutenant Woods noticed that the document known as the “trim chit” indicated that torpedo tubes five and six were full. If this was so the bowcaps should have been closed before the submarine left the harbour.

It is authoritatively stated in Paris that a pact with the Soviet may now be concluded in principle within 48 hours. The attitude of the Soviet is reported to be much more friendly toward Britain and Fi’ance, as is indicated by the publication in full of Viscount Halifax’s warning to aggressors.

Admiral Ivan IsakofT, Deputy-Com-missar of the Russian Navy, who recently returned from the United States, where, it is believed, he sought facilities for the construction of warships’ armour plate, declared that the rapidity and magnitude of Russian naval construction was unprecedented in the history of the world’s war fleets. The admiral also claimed that the Russian submarine fleet was among the leaders in the world’s navies.

A law has been introduced in Germany empowering the authorities to conscript men and women for “tasks of State or political importance.”

. The Russian Foreign Minister, M. Molotoff, has communicated to the British Ambassador, _ Sir William Seeds, and the French Ambassador, M. Naggiar, the Soviet’s reply .to the British and French proposals for a peace front agreement. Mr. Chamberlain added that he could not be expected to make a more definite statement until this considered reply had been received.

The French Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, conferred with the French Ambassador to Turkey and discussed Turkey’s plans for the transit of warships through the Dardanelles in the event of a naval conflict. It is understood that these are completely satisfactory to Britain and France.