SECRET MISSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23426, 16 August 1939, Page 11

SECRET MISSION

VISIT TO FUEHRER LEAGUE COMMISSIONER RESULT NOT DISCLOSED INTEREST IN BRITAIN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 15, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON/ Aug. 15 It is officially announced in Berlin that Dr. Burckhardt, League of Nations Commissioner in Danzig, saw Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden on Friday. It. transpires that Dr. Burckhardt informed the British foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, of his invitation to Berchtesgaden, but up to the present he has not revealed the result. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express learns, says the Independent Cable Service, that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini entrusted the Danzig peace offer to Dr. Burckhardt, and it will be passed on to the Polish Government, and probably also to Britain and France. The initiative for Dr. Burckhardt's mission was taken by. Signor Mussolini, who insisted that some diplomatic move or final peace offer should bo made before Herr Hitler takes any other measures to regain the Free City. The Berlin correspondent of the British Associated Press says n Nazi source, with access to high quarters, hints that Dr. Burckhardt will shortly visit London on a secret mission. This is assumed to bo in connection with the plan to settle the Danzig problem, which is regarded by -Colonel Beck, Polish Foreign Minister, and Herr Forster, Nazi leader, as a possible basis for discussion. Dr. Burckhardt. later returned to Danzig. The British Government expects shortly to learn the outcome of his interview with Herr Hitler. Meanwhile Lord Halifax is interestedly awaiting his report. Tho Berlin correspondent of the Times says he understands that Dr. Burckhardt wished to learn from tho Fuehrer the terms on which Germany would agree to a settlement of the Danzig Customs dispute, but he excludes the suggestion that the visit might have envisaged a general settlement. , Britain, France and Poland are in constant diplomatic touch in view of tho possibility of Dr. Burckhardt's visit foreshadowing an attempt to detach Poland from the Western Powers. CEDED TERRITORIES DEMAND FOR RETURN MEETINGS IN SLOVAKIA OUTBURST AGAINST POLAND (Received August 10, 12.30 a.m.) BRATISLAVA, Aug. 15 At meetings in East Slovakian towns the return of territories ceded to Hungary and Poland was demanded, also towns occupied by Hungary. The Propaganda Minister, Dr. Mach, said the republic was ready to fight for . its brethren across the frontier. The deputy-Premier, M. Tuka, attacked

the Czechs for 20 years of exploitation, and declared that the Slovaks would never rejoin them. Further anti-Jewish legislation would be enacted. Anti-Jewish excesses continued during the week-end. Windows were broken, houses burned down, furniture thrown into the streets and a public kitchen demolished before order could be restored Under orders from the Nazi leader, Herr Franz Karniasan, the Slovak press has launched a violent anti-Polish campaign, claiming that Poland stole Slovak territory and practically exterminated the annexed Slovaks. DEFEND NEUTRALITY ESTONIA DETERMINED LONDON, A or. 14 The Prime Minister of Estonia, M. Kaarel Eonpalu, asserts that Estonia will not allow liersnlf to be involved in a military conflict in any circumstances. She had proclaimed her neutrality, which meant that no treaties to which she had not consented would bind her. Her people would defend their independence, rifles in hand. TROOPS BY AIR BRITISH EXERCISES (Received August 1/3, 7.50 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Auk. 14 A detachment of 180 men of the Second Battalion of the Poyal Ulster Rifles, stationed at Parkhurst, Lsle of Wight, are to-morrow to bo transported by troop-carrying aeroplanes to Wiltshire to. take part in manoeuvres.