DANZIG CITY NOT SO FREE: VERY RESTRICTED RIGHTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20624, 27 May 1935, Page 6

DANZIG CITY NOT SO FREE: VERY RESTRICTED RIGHTS.

To-day’s Special Article

Exercises Little More Control Over Its Destiny Than Any N.Z. Borough.

By

Arpad Szigetvary.

The story of Danzig is a story of almost continual change of ownership, continual, that is, in the historical sense. Predominantly German in language and leanings, and brought to its present state of prosperity and culture by Germans, it remains a fact that for over two'centuries it was under the suzerainty of the kings of Poland. Nevertheless, the city was founded by Germany and never formed an actual part of the Polish kingdom—throughout the two centuries it was independent in its foreign relations, exchanging ambassadors with England, France, Sweden and other countries.

POLAND, Danzig has been under the control of Pomerania, Bradenberg and Prussia, when those were independent States. Denmark and Sweden, and the Teutonic Knights. Between 1807 and 1814 it was a Free Town under the protection of France. After that it reverted to Prussia. Thus throughout its history it was mainly under Teutonic rather than Slav influence. The two centuries of association with Poland left no impression on Danzig: today there is no trace of the former relationship, whereas German. Scandinavian, Netherlands, and even English, influences are still discernible. There still exists the Englisches Ilaus, which was the headquarters of English merchants in the sixteenth century. In short, the Danzigers throughout history have spurned the lower cvilture of the Poles, merely suffering them on account of their once large territory being of value to the port of Danzig. Fight for a Port. On the other hand, in 1918 the position of a resurrected Poland without a sea outlet for its produce was naturally unsatisfactory, and the Polish fight for a port could to an extent be sympathised with. However, sympathy was turned into impatience when Poland, in the exuberance of her re-birth, put forward the astounding claim for possession of not only Danzig, but the whole of East Prussia. Failing that, she demanded Danzig and a large slice of the province, excluding Konigsberg, which was to be isolated as a lilliputian republic under, of course. Polish suzerainty. All these facts made the disposition of Danzig at the end of the late war a most difficult problem in the series of deplorable mistakes which constituted the efforts of the Allied and Associated Powers to refrom Europe where and in a manner suiting their own interests. An Artificial State. The creation of a Free City of Danzig under the shadow of Poland without consulting the inhabitants was bad enough, but matters were made worse by the inclusion in the area of territories which were never subject to Poland. To the actual city and port of Danzig were added three rural districts which had little or no community of interest wfith it, being, in reality, the market garden of Marienburg, which still remains in East Prussia. By the Treaty, Marienburg, the ancient capital of the Teutonic Knights, was torn in two. To Danzig went its richest sugar-beet fields. Suburbs and factories were taken away to add to the artifically-created State. Through the Polish and Danzig Customs Union trade with Danzig and the Corridor is restricted, and, in some cases, actually prohibited. By adding the 178,000 population of these rural districts to the pro-German majority among the 207,000 inhabitants of the City of Danzig proper, what is tantamount to a crime against the rights of a people is correspondingly magnified. Far from being a Free City; Danzig exercises little more control over its destinies than a New Zealand borough. Poland controls its foreign affairs and railways. Poland looks after its nationals abroad and dictates in matters of emigration, naturalisation and expulsion of aliens. While the post and telegraph of the hinterland is under the control of the Free City, paradoxically enough, in the harbour area, which embraces most of the actual city, it is in Polish hands. Official communication with Germany must go through Warsaw, which has the last say in matters, and is not slow in sidetracking or losing altogether

subjects which are not in its own best interests. Danzig cannot even raise a loan without Polish sanction. The last straw, perhaps, is the control of the harbour. The harbour is, and was, Danzig. Danzig is, and was, the harbour. Without the harbour there would be no Danzig. The board controlling the harbour consists of an equal number of Poles and Danzigers, under, it would appear, almost ludicrously, a Swiss chairman. However, thiough control of the railways, etc., Polish influence dominated from the start. In 1921 the Poles commenced manoeuvring for complete control. In that year Poland demanded the right to establish a munitions depot at Danzig. This the High Commissioner of the Free City, a League of Nations appointee, refused. However, later in the year an agreement was reached at Geneva allowing Poland an isolated site some distance from the city, and not possessing extra-territorial rights. Instead of that, four years later, the League, under French pressure, over-ruled Danzig’s objections, and granted Westerplatte, within the harbour limits of Danzig, to the Poles as a munitions depot. Events moved quickly after that, and now the area is in reality a part of Poland commanding the whole harbour. Not; only were munitions placed there, but an occupying force of Polish soldiers. It acts as well as a Polish naval base. In this manner has Danzig’s few territorial rights been still further infringed and animosity against the Poles alarmingly increased. At the same time as they were deploying for the possession of Westerplatte the Poles were active in the construction of their new port Gydnia, in the Polish Corridor. That remarkable feat against many obstacles. has been achieved. The Poles demanded Danzig, as they had no seaport. They now have one, created by their own and French efforts. There, therefore, occurs the obvious query as to what right they have to retain control of Danzig under the circumstances. What excuse remains for a Free City of Danzig? Six Governments. Added to the varied complexities of life at Danzig is the fact that it is burdened with no less than six governmental authorities: (1) The Senate of 120 members, elected by universal suffrage, the voting age being 20; (2) the Polish Government: (3) the Harbour Board; (4) the High Commissioner; (5) the Council of the League of Nations and the High Court of the Hague; and (6) the whole League of Nations, the suzerain super-Power. All this naturally adds very materially to the difficulties of civic affairs and confuses the issue to a point almost past understanding. As well, expenses are increased out of all proportion necessary for the running of what is, after all, a comparatively small city. The staff of the city has actually doubled since 1914, and £44.000 has to be paid annually towards the salary and office expenses of the High Commissioner. Over one-third of the population, consisting of officials, pensioners and unemployed, depends upon the State for a living. Trade consequent upon tariff and other barriers, as well as Polish enforced restrictions against Germany, has decreased, and with it, naturally, revenue. The Danzigers’ lot under the circumstances is not a happy one, and it need cause no surprise if violence and direct action are resorted to by the people in the endeavour, otherwise repressed, of expressing self-determination.