BECK INSISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 13

BECK INSISTS

reply hitler future OF DANZIG POSSIBLE NEGOTIATION ACCESS TO BALTIC SEA "WILL NOT BE BARRED" By Telegraph—tress Association—Copyright (Received May G, 12.40 a.m.) • LONDON, May 5 The Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Josef Beck, in a speech to the Lower-House in Warsaw to-day, replied to the speech recently made by Herr Hitler in which the latter outlined Germany's claims against Poland, which include the return of Danzig and a motor road across the Polish Corridor. Colonel Beck, who was loudly cheered at intervals, said the population of Danzig, admittedly, was predominantly German, but'the city's livelihood and prosperity depended upon Poland, who firmly stood by her rights to overseas •trade and her maritime policy in the Free City.

Real Aim the Question "When I hear a demand for the annexation of Danzig by the Reich," sa id Colonel Beck —"when I do not get a reply to our proposal of March 25 fdr a common guarantee of tlio - rights of the Free City, and when I Jearn it has been interpreted as a refusal, to negotiate, I must ask what js the real aim of all this. Is it meant to bar Poland from the Baltic, from vhich Poland will not let herself be barred ? "We hare suggested the extension of "the present road transport facilities through the Corridor, but we have no grounds for'restricting our sovereignty over our own territory. One-sided Concessions "The Reich seems to be demanding one-sided concessions in these matters. Two conditions are necessary for peace to hare a real meaning—firstly, peaceful intentions, and secondly, peaceful methods'of action. "If the Reich is guided by these

principles, all conversations respecting the principles I have outlined are possible. If conversations materialised, Poland would hot refuse her very good will. ,

"The Poles do not know a conception of peace at any price. One thing without price i$ honour." Revisios ot Diplomacy >

Colonel Beck said the weakening of collective international institutions and . the .complete revision of the method of intercourse among nations had; resulted 'in the opening up of many new problems in different parts sults had in recent months reached the lorders of Poland.

"As far as we are concerned," said Colonsl Beck, "the most serious events have occurred. Our contacts with some Powers have become easier and more profound, whereas in other instances serious difficulties have arisen.

Agreement with Britain "The Anglo-Polish agreement is based, the principles of mutual assistafee in the event of direct or indirect menace to the independence of either .country.,. The form and character of the comprehensive conversations in London were particularly valuable to the agreement. I would like to encourage public opinion to know I found British statesmen to have-) a profound knowledge of the general and political problems of Europe. Their attitude toward Poland

permitted me to discuss all vital problems with frankness and confidence and 'without reservation. * "It was possible to establish the prin-

ciples of Anglo-Polish collaboration in the first place because we made clear to each other the intentions of both

Governments in, accordance with basic European problems, and, secondly, because neither Britain nor Poland has any aggressive intentions, but both

are determined to defend the basic principles of the conduct of international life,

Denunciation of Pact

. iThe parallel declarations of the French leaders confirm that France and Poland agreed that our defensive pact not only cannot be affected adversely

by a changed international situation, but constitutes one of the essential < elements of the political structure of Europe." Referring to Herr Hitler's denunciation! of the Polo : German Pact because Germany objected to the Anglo-Polish agreement, Cojonel Beck said: "The Polo-German Pact attempted to give a better course to history. It attempted to remove the unwholesome atmosphere of daily clashes and wider hostile designs, and to rise above centuries-old animosities. Real Character Lost "Poland's policy proved her respect for the implications of the pact, and so "its denunciation is not insignificant. It had already lost its real character because there appeared to be a tendency to interpret it,as limiting the freedom °f Polish policy or as a ground for demanding from Poland one-sided conces- • sions contrary to her vital interests. "Germany denounced the treaty without consulting the British and Pplish' Governments concerning the c aracter of their agreement. It would D ot have been difficult to do this, because I expressed my willingness to receive the German Ambassador immediately after my return from London, ut the Ambassador did not call until 'bat morning/' It is reported from Munich that the , e r n Forei S n Minister, Herr von j 1 has broken his journey to y and is 'conferring with Herr " er at Bercbtesgaden.

! GERMANS IN POLAND V—v / LONDON, May 4 6 official news agency in Berlin troD+~^ r ? minence reports of illdajriß?en i °L p erm ans in Poland and and Geirman homes and shops, STrmJ. £ headquarters of the German Party, at Biala.