WILD RUMOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 9

WILD RUMOURS

• GERMANY'S PLANS ■FUTURE OF DANZIG HITLER AN ENIGMA TRESS SPECULATIONS By TclPPrrnph—Press Association—Copyright • (KeceiVed August 1 •"», pj.io a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14 The only certainty emerging from Bcrchtesgadcn is that, the talk between Herr Hitler and the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, covered moid than the Danzig question, savs a message from Paris. Field-Marshal flooring's newspaper," the Nationalzeituirg, con- - chides a'/ bitter attack upon the Poles with the words: "Poland is a 'standing danger to European - • peace and a misfortune for its inhabitants." The most sensational of all the many ' - rumours current is that Herr Hitler " ' will speak'to the nation to-morrow and that the German Army will march immediately after. But the plain truth is that nobody has the slightest inkling of Herr Hitler's immediate intentions. "Italian Peace Plan" A section of the Paris press credits Signor Mussolini with being on the point of proposing a five-Power conference, including Poland, but elbowing Russia out into the cold. The London morning newspapers similarly contain a fine crop of rumours and counter-rumours. The Daily Mail publishes a story that Signor Mussolini submitted a European peace plan to Herr Hitler, embracing treaty revision by international agreement, covering economic and colonial problems, with plebiscites for the areas affected. Supposed Danzig Proposals The Manchester Guardian refers to a "six-point/plan" emanating from German soure'es:—(l) Liquidation of the League's authority in Danzig; (2) Poland to retain only Consulate representation in Danzig to deal with economic interests; (3) the Nazification of the Danzig Government; (4) liquidation of ''the German-Danzig Customs frontier within five years; (5) an agreement to demilitarise Danzig on condir~- tion that liquidates her munitions depot at "Westerplatte, and (6) n mixed, body of German, Polish and Danzig members to administer the harbour board. The Polish' Government's counterproposals are alleged to be:—(1) The permanent cession to Poland of all West Danzig, including Zoppot; (2) the cession to Germany of East Danzig, including AVesterplatte; (3) a special harbour board with supreme authority to administer a Polish-Ger-man condominium, find (4) regulation of the southern frontier on ethnographic principles. German Comment The German Foreign Office journal Diplomatische Korrespoiulenz declares: ~ "Attempts to sabotage the Berchtesgaden talks by alleging that plans were discussed to divide Europe will mot suc- - oeed in diverting Germany from the need to settle the Danzig problem, which is not only a demand of peace but a test' of the willingness of others for peace.". The Independent Cable Service says there is widespread speculation in Paris regarding the Italo-German talks, which are called "the Salzburg mystery." .'Rumours of a "six-point plan" for . Danzig nre treated with reserve, and regarded as in the nature of a German trial balloon. It is generally thought Italo-German solidarity is not so cemented as the press makes out.

UNION WITH REICH " OPPOSITION IN DANZIG OUTSPOKEN PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTORS ARRESTED / DANZIG. An*. 1» Many postmen have been arrested for distributing a pamphlet accusing the Nazi leader Herr Forster of responsibility for trade stagnation, tradesmen's despair, women's fears, tho presence of heavy guns and a strange army. The pamphlet says that Danzigers have had enough of Herr Hitler's conquest policy, Nazi parades, glorification of "tin god" party leaders, heavy taxation, espionage, and stories of a decaying France and a moribund Britain. "Wo do not wish to return to Germany, so clear out, Herr Forster," the paniphlet states. JAPAN AND AXIS QUESTION OF ALLIANCE DIVISION IN THE CABINET LONDON, Aug. 13 Conservative members of the Japanese Cabinet have formulated counterproposals aimed at averting a Cabinet crisis over the Army's demand for a military alliance with the Axis Powers, says the Tokio correspondent of tho British United Press. The proposals oppose a full military alliance, but favour a limited alliance directed primarily against tho Soviet. ENVOY TO SPAIN ITALY MAKES A CHANGE (Received August 14, p.m.) "ROME, Aug. 13 A communique announces that General Gambara, who commanded tho 1 Italian Legionaries i>) Spain, has been appointed Ambassador to Spain. Count .Viola di Campallo has been recalled. IR02)I ORE RESERVE British Wireless LONDON, Aug. 13 Discussions are proceeding between // the Ministry of Supply and the British Iron and Steel Federation concerning the acquisition of a reserve of iron ore.