RETURN OF DANZIG

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 April 1939, Page 5

RETURN OF DANZIG

AGREEMENT EXPECTED SECRET POLISH AND GERMAN TALKS REPORTED (Received 18th April, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 17th April. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that wellinformed circles state that Poland and Germany will shortly agree to return Danzig to Germany. All sources agree that Germany will not attempt to take possession by force. Secret Polish and German conversations are reported to have begun at Warsaw.

MINORITIES IN POLAND

PLAYING WITH FIRE WARNING BY PRESS WARSAW. 12th April. In Western Poland young whitestockinged Nazis are greeting one another demonstratively with "Heil, Mai,” suggesting that there will be a German attack next month. Polish newspapers declare that the German broadcasting stations are inciting the German minorities to engage in provocative actions. The newspapers warn the minorities that they are playing with fire. The Polish people are still determined to fight against the slightest aggression. The Polish Army's principal organ states: "Nothing will be given up without a fight. Every Polish house will be a fortress. The air danger will not daunt Poland, which is chiefly agritultural and has few great centres, whereas the enemy has far more targets suitable for destruction from the air.” The Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, is reaeiving a stream of telegrams from associations and individuals, congratulating him on the recent London talks, the outcome of which is universally approved. The former Minister for War, General Sikorski, has just returned from France, where he had many private conversations with General Gamelin. Chief of the French Armed Forces, and other French generals. He said that relations between France and Poland were never better, and spoke highly of the efficiency of the present Polish military precautions.

SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

POLICE RESERVES BEING SENT (Received 18th April, 11 a.m.) JOHANNESBURG, 17th April. The first of the police reserves have gone to South-West Africa. The total will be 200. SPECIAL TRAIN FOLLOWING • Received 18th April, 12.45 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG. 17th April. A special train is following the police reserves, carrying machine-guns, armoured cars and a month’s rations.

ITALY’S GAINS

ALBANIAN OIL WELLS DISILLUSION OF ISLAM ■U P A -Hv Electric Telegraph-On.vriirhi LONDON, 11th April. Italy gains considerable oil supplies in Albania, whose wells could supply almost half of Italy's peacetime requirements. There are 250 w r ells operating in Albania. The oil is unsuitable for ordinary reliining methods. Constqiientiv Italy recently completed costly hydrogenation plants at Bari and Leghorn, with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons. Italy imported 100.000 tons of oil last year, but a rapid increase was shown «r January and February. The Italian broadcast appeal to Moslems in Tunisia to take part in antiFrench demonstrations on Sunday failed completely. It was the anniversary of the violent riots of last year. MIXED FEELINGS IN ITALY ■U P A. —By Electric; Telegraph— Copyright 1 ROME, 11th April. There has been a mixed public reaction in Italy to the invasion of Albania, despite newspaper jubilation and the proud satisfaction expressed by the most ardent Fascists. Most of the more moderate sections, however, are wondering how Italy, which is in severe economic straits, can afford the expenditure necessary to moke Albania profitable. Impoverished Italian workers do not f.nd it edifying to read accounts of how large sums have been distributed among the poor in Albania. The fear of international complications is increasing with the continued calling up of reiervists. )