ALL GAPS CLOSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 11

ALL GAPS CLOSED

POLAND’S VIEW OF SPEECH SATISFACTION EXPRESSED NO ROOM FOR DOUBT (United Press Association) <l3y Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, July 10. A message from Warsaw says that political circles are satisfied with Mr Chamberlain’s speech as closing all gaps and even more definitely confirming British guarantees and declarations. Political leaders in London unanimously declare that Mr Chamberlain’s speech, in which every word counts, leaves no margin for misunderstanding. REACTION IN BERLIN “ BLANK CHEQUE FOR POLAND ” BERLIN, July 10. Tlie semi-official view of Mr Chamberlain’s speech is that he has given Poland a blank cheque which, though disclosing nothing new, does not tend to promote peace. Nevertheless a solution is still possible. ROME DISPLEASED LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 1.30 a.m.) “ Nothing surprising. nothing new,” sums up Berlin press opinion of the speech. The Volkischer Beobachter adds: “ The utterances are misplaced, because they completely ignore the Danzig people’s right to self-determination. The solution will not be decided from the platform of the House of Commons.” In Rome the speech was unfavourably received, though it is regarded as being mild and even prudent in tone. II Messagero says: “ The sword which was waved threateningly in London amid the deafening racket of warlike chatter woven round a supposedly imminent Danzig tragedy has been prudently resheathed.” A GERMAN’S OPINION “NO CONCERN OF BRITAIN” MELBOURNE, July 11. Herr W. Biasing, secretary of the German Consulate in Melbourne, who has returned after a visit to Germany, said; “ In respect to Danzig, England is putting her finger in a pie which does not concern 16*-.” He added that from discussions he had with Government officials in Berlin he believed that there was no chance of war involving Britain against German^. MINISTER’S SHARP REBUKE ACTING CONSUL SUMMONED CANBERRA, July 11. (Received July 12, at 1 a.m.) Herr Biasing’s statement brought a sharp rebuke to-day from Sir Henry Gullett, Minister of External Affairs, who summoned the Acting German Consul, Dr Seger, to his office and told him it was quite beyond the function of any consular service in Australia to engage in propaganda against the United Kingdom. Such a course could only lead to difficulties. Sir Henry said he completely subscribed to Britain’s peace policy, and peace had not yet been broken between the United Kingdom and Germany. He added that the Conv monwealth Government desired the relationship between Australia and Germany to continue upon the most friendly basis. INCIDENTS IN DANZIG NAZIS ATTACK POLES (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 0.30 a.m.) Mr Chamberlain’s speech did not deter Danzig Nazis from making attacks against Poles. It has been reported that a dozen Polish workers were arrested after leaving Schichau and will work in concentration camps in Germany. The Nazis are concentrating on excluding Poles from all Danzig activities for fear that what they know they might retain in future in regard to the preparations. Munitions are still being shipped to the Free City through Schichau. Seven trawlers carrying mine-laying equipment arrived at Danzig last evening.