SCENE AT GENEVA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 6 July 1936, Page 7

SCENE AT GENEVA

THE DANZIG SITUATION

DEFIANCE OF PRESIDENT

INSULT TO TRESS.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

GENEVA, July 5,

The League had its third shock in a week of unprecedented sensations when Herr Greiser, the, Nazi President of the Danzig Senate, truculently defied the Council, arousing widespread resentment. Tho Nazi President’s behaviour is generally regarded as largely explanatory of the problems of Mr Sean Lester (the League High Commissioner). It is believed that Herr Greiser, while en routo to Geneva v:a Germany, saw General Goering and was encouraged to make a violent speech. It is also suggested that Herr Greiser’s outburst may he regarded as

an indication of Germany’s attitude toward the League. Herr Greiser’s misdemeanour culminated in an amazing scene when Mr Eden, after the Council had adopted a resolution, intimated, that Herr Greiser might retire. Herr Greisei walked to the table where Mr Eden

was talking to M. Delbos (France) and Colonel Beck (Poland), shook hands with tlie others and gave the Nazi salute, causing a ripple of hilarity in the public galleries. Herr Greiser, angrily departing, turned_ toward tho Press gallery and put his fingers to his nose, causing such a storm of protest tliat Mr Eden asked: ‘‘What is the matter?” and, when told, Mr Eden that lie had not seen the inci-

dent. "i appeal to you to remain seated,” he said. “The best way of treating such conduct is to ignore it.” Meanwhile some journalists had hurried out with the intention of tackling Herr Greiser, but police intervened and escorted the Danzigers outside amid boos. DANGEROUS SITUATION. The Danzig situation, as a result of Herr Greiser’s recalcitrance, is regarded as so dangerous that the Council immediately met privately and appointed a committee of Britain, France, and Portugal, with Mr Eden

as rapporteur, to keep in touch with the position, bolding itself in readiness to meet within 24 hours, although Mr Eden later returned to London.

Herr Greiser, on arriving to attend the League Council’s meeting, which was discussing Danzig, was refused admittance because be did not possess the special card- isssued owing to police precautions following the Lux tragedy and tho Italian misbehaviours. Herr Greiser indignantly protested and said that he had riot flown 1200 miles for fun. Such treatment was intolerable. Eventualy lie was admitted. Repeatedly banging his clenched first on the' table in order to emphasise his points, which gesture is unusual at the League, Herr Greiser aggressively declared that there was no place in the world where liberty was greater than at Danzig. It would be still greater if the League minded its own businesss and Mr Lester was more prudent. Mr Lester’s conduct had enabled a divided and false minority shamelessly to terrorise , the Nazi majority. “Even in war-time I have not seen corpses hacked about as those of the victims slaughtered by the persons Mr Lester supports,” he said. ■ Mr Greiser demanded that tlie League cither abolish the High Commissionership or send a representative who would not interfere in Danzig’s internal affairs. He added: “I speak on behalf of 400.000 living Germans. We are nst dealing with paragraphs in reports but with living beings. If the League wants to restore confidenc it must adopt one of those alternatives and show it is a living oiganisation.” Herr Greiser declared that the fact that the opposition newspapers were informed of Mr Lester's reports before they were available to the Government indicated an attempt at intimidation. He alleged that was called to Geneva for hidden political motives, including the Italo-Abyssinian war (which is interpreted to mean that tho League was using Danzig to divert attention from it). He added: “I am not surprised that officers of tlie cruiser Leipzig refused to call on Mr Lester, who was lamentably tactless on the occasion of a German warship’s visit earlier. I am speaking on behalf of 400,000 Germans who are not bound to the League by ties of blood and race as they are bound to Germany. Danzigers will not endure the League’s supervision much longer. II the "Council doubts that let them arrange a plebiscite and abide by tlie result. Tlie League has not helped Danzig unemployment or economic troubles. For years Nazis have tried to restore order. It was fortunate that Herr Hitler, the greatest statesman in Europe, and Marshal Pilsudski, another great man, assisted us to save Danzig from a terrific explosion. Other Governments must be envious of such leaders.” Herr Greiser wound up with a defiant gesture, flinging down his papers on the table and remarking, “Now, I feel better.” MANNER RESENTED.

Delegates obviously resented Herr Groiser’s manner. When he finished ho was loundly booed from the public galleries. Mr Eden waited for a translation of the speech from the German, after which he pointed out that Herr Greiser had been invited out of courtesy to attend the meeting which, in any case, had not questioned the actions of the Danzig Government. The League, he said, was not responsible for the present Danzig regime and was only carrying out its functions in the interests of the lree city and Poland. He then adjourned the meeting to enable tlie Assembly to deal with Abyssinia. When it again mot Mr Lester gave an unprejudiced account of his duties, ignoring Herr Greiser’s personalities. Colonel Beck pointed out that the agenda w'as only dealing with the Leipzig’s visit and he would reply to Herr Greiser’s general statements later. Mr Eden regretted the tone of Herr Greiser’s speech. The proper reply to Herr Greiser’s charges was to express confidence in the manner in which Mr I,ester was carrying out his arduous duties. The Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting Poland to deal with the matter through diplomatic channels and to report to the Council at its next session. Herr Greiser, addressing the Council, said: “I had not expected any other reply from the League. We are accustomed to their dilatoriness. I again ask for a revision of Danzig’s relations with the League, not only in the name of the Danzigers but of the

whole German people, who look to the Council for a decision liberating the president of the Danzig Senate from the necessity of ever appearing here again.” Mr Eden replied: The Council is dealing with the agenda, nothing else.

At Berlin, official private opinion is unreservedly backing Herr Greiser. Observers believe the situation involves grave developments as the prestige of Nazism is involved to the same degree as in the Saar, lienee the demand for a plebiscite. The Nazi official newspaper, Voelkisoher Beobachter, declares: Mr Lester must go. It is intolerable to Germany to see bow the League constantly disturbs the peace by allowing Mr Lester to mix in Danzig’s domestic affairs.

GERMAN CRITICISM. • Received Julv 6, 9.35 a.m. BERLIN, July 5. The Sunday newspapers support Herr Greiser. The Volkisehe Beobachter says: Only the abolition of the High Com-missioner-ship will guarantee stabilisation of the relations between Danzig and the League.