POLES' FEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23309, 30 March 1939, Page 11

POLES' FEARS

ANOTHER CRISIS GERMAN THREAT RECENT INCIDENTS WARSAW PRECAUTIONS PREPAREDNESS POLICY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received March 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 28 The German journal, Political Correspondence, states that acts against Germany by Poland might, in spite of the desire of the Peich to live at peace with Poland, result in consequences as deplorable for the future harmonious development of that area in Europe as they would be harmful to Poland herself, says a message from Berlin. Germany has taken little notice of recent incidents, says the journal, but it should not be assumed from this that incidents have been overlooked. The reason for German moderation has been a desire and a hope that such straying from the correct path was only a temporary wave of Chauvinism which would retreat before decency.

Diplomatic Call Unfortunately, these expectations have not been fulfilled. If certain Polish cities beliove it is in order to revile and persecute Germans, this will be interpreted only as a profession of faith in the Versailles Treaty, concludes the journal. The German Ambassador to-day visited the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, says the Warsaw correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. It is understood that he received Colonel Beck's assurance that Poland has no intention of departing from the principles of the 10-year non-aggression pact signed in 1934. This is interpreted in some quarters as meaning that Poland will not join an anti-German coalition. Distributing Gas Masks

A total of 700,000 gas masks will be distributed in Warsaw. Poland's military and moral preparedness for war continues to be the theme of the press and of public utterances. Organisations all over the country formed to raise a national defence fund are pouring in money. Lwow University students have pledged themselves to give up a month of their vacation without pay for the building of fortifications on the German frontier.

General Skwarczynski, in the presence of General Smigly-Ridz, who was borne shoulder-high, declared that all Poland saw a great crisis approaching. They must work for peace, strive for neighbourliness and not allow any pressure to influence thein. Poland must not involve herself in aggression.

A pact of understanding was signed by the German and Polish Governments on January 26, 1934. It was to be valid for 10 years and for that period the use of force as a means of settling disputes between the two countries was explicitly and categoricallv renounced.

The two countries decided in direct and separate agreement to base their relations on the Kellogg Pact and to define more precisely the application of its principles to their own relationships.

When the pact was signed it was described as an Eastern Locarno Pact and it was stated to mean the voluntary acceptance by Germany of her eastern frontiers.

MAY BE DANGEROUS OPPOSITION TO WISHES GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OMINOUS REFERENCE Independent. Cable Service (Received March 21), 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 20 The German Foreign Office, through the official press, warns Poland that opposition to German wishes may bo dangerous. It refers ominously to "the particular geographical position of the State." i ' In deploring anti-German propaganda "regardless of the strain placed on Germano-Polish relations by Versailles," the article adds: "The Fuehrer has done his best to persuade the German people that an independent and strong Poland should be regarded as essential to the stability of Central Europe, and that, therefore, it is desirable to live in friendly relations.

"This is the basis of the 1934 treaty. If Poland now comes to the conclusion that the same consideration for the vital rights i and honour of the German people is no longer required, this would be regrettable for the future of harmonious developments in Europe and detrimental to Poland herself."