REICH CALCULATIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 5

REICH CALCULATIONS

MOVEMENT FOR UNION CONFUSION OF PUBLIC ■ (Reed. July 3, 11 a m.) LONDON. July 1. Danzig is the main subject of this morning’s newspapers. It is known, too, that the situation is being watched with more than usual attention in official quarters. 'Press reports describe Nazi activity in the Free City and the prevalence of rumours of an early crisis which, it is suggested, would ibe brought about by ostensibly a spontaneous movement of union with the 'Reich. The calculation is understood to be that such a development would necessitate 'action by Poland which, in the Nazi propaganda, would be given the appearance of being provocative or aggressive in character, with the double object of persuading the German, people that the trouble had been originated toy the Poles and of creating, it is hoped, confusion in the public mind in the .States comprising the anti-aggression front, and particularly in Britain. British press comment shows that a movement of this kind, if it were intended, is defensive in advance.

Unanimous Recognition There is unanimous recognition that any attempt to change the status of Danzig, except by consultation and agreement with the appropriate authorities, would be a breach of the treaties and would immediately raise the question cf the British and French guarantees to Poland. It is stated, moreover, that the position of Britain and France has 'been made very clear last week by the speeches of the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, and the French Premier, M. Daladier. It is confidently assumed in the press that Lord Halifax's warning will be willingly reinforced by the Prime Minister, Mr. .Neville Chamberlain, in a broadcast on the national service to-morrow evening.

The claim of Lord Halifax that there is complete national unity in support of the Government’s attitude to any renewal of aggression in Europe lias received confirmation in speeches of the Opposition leaders.