CALM CONFIDENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23428, 18 August 1939, Page 9

CALM CONFIDENCE

ATTITUDE OP BRITAIN % AWAITS DEVELOPMENTS ' CONFERENCE UNLIKELY ' NEVER ANOTHER MUNICH By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 17, 7.10 p.m.) British' Wireless LONDON, Aug. 1« The message received by Britain from Dr. Burckhardt, League Commissioner in Danzig, has been passed on to the Governments of the two olher members of the League committee which is dealing with Danzig, namely, France and Sweden. Press speculation concerning the purport of Dr. Burckhardt's message should be treated with the utmost reserve. In best informed quarters in London tho recent visit to Berchtesgaden of Dr. Burckhardt is regarded as no mare than an item in the general development of events which are engaging constant study. Britain awaits the outcome of this development in calm confidence. Ministers on Holiday The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, who is on holiday in the North of England, has been informed of the contents of Dr. Burckhardt's message. The Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, has left for Yorkshire, and probably will return to London on Monday. It is felt in London that there is now a general understanding that an attempt—which would come from the German side—to alter the position at Danzig by force would mean war, in which Britain and France would be immediately involved in support of Poland. In, these circumstances it would appear to be in the interests of all; —and supremely in the interests of the Free City itself and of Poland—that stability and confidence should be restored by agreement, but agreement will hardly be reached in an atmosphere of local friction, incidents and press heroics. Speculation In Press There is little disposition at the moment in official quarters to look beyond the immediate phase. Political and diplomatic . correspondents of newspapers movo more quickly, and speculation has given rise to a number of rumours and suggestions in the last 24 hours, of which one—originating in despatches from tho Continent —was a four-Power meeting to discuss the Danzig question. It can safely be predicted that the latter is an idea which would not commend itself to British opinion. In this matter the Daily Herald (Labour) probably expresses the unanimous British view, official and unofficial, when it says: "The lesson of Munich is decisive. There cannot be another." FRENCH SCORN

ARMISTICE PROPOSAL * POLAND SOLE JUDGE FULL SUPPORT IF NEEDED (Received August 17, 11.50 p.m.) PARIS, Aug. 17 Franco has given the armistice and conference suggestion a frigid reception, characterising it as Germany's supreme move to divide the democracies. It is unanimously declared absurd to suggest that Poland can be isolated from her allies at this late stage. The newspaper Figaro says: "Poland is the sole judge of her interests, • and she knows she can count on our full strength to defend them if necessary." MAGINOT LINE MR. CHURCHILL IMPRESSED (Received August 17, 7.35 p.m.) PARIS, Aug. 10 In an interview at Belfort, Mr. Winston Churchill said: "It is my impression that the Mnginot Line will provide absolute security against the horrors of invasion."