NAZI CLAMOUR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20013, 11 August 1939, Page 5

NAZI CLAMOUR

“BACK TO REICH” ROARS IN DANZIG SPEECH BY FOERSTER ANSWER TO “THREATS” POLES AGAIN ACCUSED GERMAN WISH FOR PEACE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. August 11. 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 10. Messages from Danzig stale that the Nazi leader there, Herr Foersler, addressing a crowd whose thunderous roars of “We want to return to the Reich” drowned the opening words, declared that the meeting was assembled at a serious moment to protest against threats of war uttered by Polish newspapers and speakers. ‘.‘Anybody expecting sensational announcements to-night is mistaken," he declared. “The Danzigers have shown their love of peace. If the Polish .threats had not been so serious they would have been content to pass them over. However, since they continue and since the threats are even supported by official Polish utterances, the time has dome to bring our viewpoint before the world in no uncertain terms.”

He cited Polish utterances as proof that Poland wished to establish a protectorate in Danzig. Ble declared: "-It must be clear to us and the whole German people, as well as sensible foreigners, that such con-stantly-repeated Polish vituperation cannot continue. We have done everything possible in recent weeks to defend ourselves in answer to attacks of every kind. Faith in Nazi Leadership

“Threats of war, however challenging, do not frighten Danzig, because the people, on the basis of previous experience, have faith in the Nazi leadership and know it will do the right thing at the right time." Herr Foerster denounced AngloFrench . “meddling” in ■ Danzig's affairs. He said that Danzig had been purely a German city since its foundation. The people feared the Polish guns as little ns their forefathers feared the cannon of the Polish king. Their rights of self-determina-tion had been violated M Versailles, after which Danzig was reduced to second place to Gydnia, this proving that Danzig received only economic disadvantages and not advantages from Poland. The Danzig people were absolutely clear and firm in the conviction, that liberation was at hand and that Danzig would again return to the Reich. “We can do nothing better than swear that we will hold together and resist every attack on holy German soil,” he said. “The Fuehrer will stand by our side jn the event (if a Polish attack.”

Message to Feuhrer

At the conclusion of Herr Focrster’s speech, a telegram sent to IlenHitler, read as follows: “My Fuehrer tens of thousands of Danzig people assembled to protest against threats to bombard Danzig with cannon, and look to you confidently and greet you with unshakeable loyalty.” The market place was jammed with 30,000 people and another 20,000 assembled in the adjacent streets, ■while 50,000 assembled at various points in the suburbs, where loudspeakers were installed. Tiie crowds frequently interrupted the speech with Nazi slogans: “One folk. One Reich. One Fuehrer,” and shouts of “We want to return to the Reich."

The crowds roared with laughter when fieri- Foerster cited the opinions of English and French persons, including Mr. D. Lloyd George, and Mr. Winston Churchill, to the effect that the Polish Corridor was a mistake.

They hissed when he read out inflammatory statements from Polish newspapers and also the recent threat by Marshal Smigly Rydz, that Danzig would be the first stage of a crusade against Germapy. Some time before he delivered his speech Herr Foerster told the Danzig correspondent of the Paris paper

Excelsior that he was reserving a surprise for his speech. “It is clearer than ever that we must return to the Reich and as quickly as possible,” be said. “We do not want war, but it is inadmissible that England and France should encourage war by supporting Poland which is too bellicose. My speech will prove to the world that our claims are just. “I know our appeal will be rejected. Then we will act, if that is the only way by which we can obtain satisfaction.” The white -hot anticipation and apprehension over what Herr* Foerster might say was .illustrated* by an unprecedented statement broadcast by all Polish stations in Polish and German. It said: “It is known that Herr .Foerster saw Herr Hitler at Berchtesgndon. We' 'hope in his speech iie will bear in mind the words of Marshal Smigly Rydz, namely, that Poland knows no peace which means -that one must give and l another receive.”

Polish, circles interpreted this- as an unmistakeable warning to Danzig, from where it was reported Herr Foerster might make some proclamation as a result of his visit to Berchtesgaden. The London Stock Exchange was depressed in anticipation of Ilerr, Foerster's speech. Gilt-edgeds were an eighth lower and Europeans were dull. Danzig stocks dropped by 1J points. .'