DANZIG AND POLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18346, 4 June 1931, Page 6

DANZIG AND POLAND.

The untenable position of Danzig was clearly illustrated in the report of three jurists on Poland’s obligation to use that port. Under the Peace Treaty Poland was provided with access :to the sea by the Corridor, a narrow strip of Polish territory dividing East and West Prussia. She was also given the use, though not the possession, of the port of Danzig, which stands at the head of the Corridor. Poland, however, for political reasons wants to have a port of her own, and to secure one she has turned the fishing village of Gdynia into a firstrate port at a totally uneconomic expenditure. Subsidised and favoured by Poland, Gdynia has become a serious rival to the Free City of Danzig, and Danzig has not unnaturally protested.. It is this rivalry which has been the subject of the experts’ deliberations. It is plainly impossible to prevent Poland building a port on her own' territory, but is arguable that she can be prevented from diverting traffic from Danzig. This at least is the opinion of the majority of the experts, who hold that there is a prior obligation on Poland to make “full” use of Danzig. This decision Is a victory for Danzig, but it may not turn out to toe a very useful one. Who is to decide what is full use and what the capacity of the port? The moral of this difficulty is plain. If Poland does not show her need of Danzig by using it—and the building of Gdynia is a sign that she is determined to use it as little as possible—then there is no further justification for the artificial separation of Danzig from the German State in the interests of Polish commerce.