GERMANY’S EYES ON POLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 5

GERMANY’S EYES ON POLAND

Signs Of Dangerous Crisis FUTURE STATUS OF RUTHENIA POLES MAY BE TREATED LIKE CZECHS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 24, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. ' There are indications that a dahgerous crisis between Poland and Germany is imminent, says the diplomatic correspondent of The Manchester Guardian. The Poles, who are most disappointed that their plans for a common Polish-Hungarian frontier have been thwarted by Germany, are exercising terrorist pressure on Sub-Carpathian Russia (Ruthenia) to prepare the way for Polish and Hungarian occupation. Germany, says the correspondent, is seriously planning to treat Poland similarly to Czechoslovakia. She may promote the independence of the Polish Ukrainians, thereby dismembering Poland, 1 in which the German minority is not formidable, but useful. The establishment of an independent Ukraine would be a prelude to Herr Hitler’s plan for the dismemberment and colonization of Russia. “Therefore it is not likely that a conflict between Germany and Poland could occur without involving Russia,” says the correspondent. "It is not Y fantastic thought,” said the Berlin correspondent of The Times recently “that the facade of friendly German-Polish relations is being maintained against the day when common action may be required to turn the collapse of communist Russia to mutual advantage. "These aims are openly discussed in Nazi circles. Their realization depends on events not under Germany’s control < unless, i-s seems highly probable, she resorts to military action before a Russian collapse." New demands against the Western Powers are not expected in responsible quarters in London, but many observers think that Herr Hitler will be tempted to embark on foreign adventures in Eastern Europe. He is expected to try to secure economic advantages from Russia by diplomatic means,' or to try to seize part of the Ukraine through the new "bridgehead” he has gained in Ruthenia (at the eastern extremity of Czechoslovakia). It is conjectured that Field-Marshal Hermann Goering, who has lately withdrawn from public functions to concentrate on a secret task, may be planning military operations against Russia for the spring, and economic exploitation of the Ukraine wheat belt. On the other hand, there has long been discussion In the European capitals on the prospect of a rapprochement between Germany and Russia. It Is argued that the two regimes show strong points of similarity. The German General Staff has maintained the respect of the Red Army, and the only obstacle appears to be the mutual personal dislike of Herr Hitler and M. Joseph Stalin. Emphasizing that the acquisition of Austria and Sudetenland increases Germany’s deficiency in foodstuffs and raw materials, and that this cannot be fully compensated by intensive trading with the Balkans, the correspondent says that the difficulties might be surmounted if Russia returned tp the circle of European trading nations. It is not clear how this could be achieved without a change of Government at Moscow, but Nazi circles suggest that M. Stalin’s present progress means that the break-up of Russia from within may not be far distant. In that event, they consider, the Russian Ukraine’s rich resources might be linked

up, by way of the Polish Ukraine and Ruthenia, to Germany’s industries. CHANGES IN DANZIG INDICATED LEAGUE AUTHORITY MAY BE REPLACED (Received November 24, 9.50 pm.) WARSAW, November 24. The intention of Professor Karl Burckhardt to resign . as High Commissioner for Danzig is announced by a pro-Government newspaper from Danzig. , The newspaper adds that the office will be liquidated, making Danzig independent of the League ‘of Nations, upon which the statute will be, replaced by an agreement between Poland and Germany. CZECHS SEEK PROMISED GUARANTEE DICTATORS’ PLEDGE TO RESPECT NEW FRONTIERS (Received November 24, 9.10 pm.) PRAGUE, November 24. The Czech Government announces that it is acting to secure the final guarantee of its frontiers agreed to by Italy and Germany after Munich. SLOVAKS ACT AGAINST 1 SOCIALISTS (Independent Cable Service) PRAGUE, November 23. The Slovak Government has dissolved the Socialist Party and some of the leaders have been arrested on charges of forging passports for Jews.