NOW TOO LATE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 26 August 1939, Page 7

NOW TOO LATE

TALKS WITH POLES RUMOURED TRIP BY BECK STATUS OF DANZIG RESISTANCE TO ANCFTLUSS VISIT BY HERMAN SHIP (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 25, 3 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 24. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, says it is rumoured' in high circles that iflhe Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel J. Beck, might go to Berlin to place Poland undor Germany’s protection. A similar rumour is cur'rent in London.

The Nazi comment on Mr. Chamberlain’s speech, says it contains nothing new and that Mr. Chamberlain no longer speaks on behalf of the majority of the Great Powers.

“The statement that Poland is ready .to negotiate comes too late,” declare (tili-e Nazis. “We can onlyshake our head's regretfully. Lord Halifax and Mr. Chamberlain have not only shown not 'the slightest understanding of 'the German rights but have encouraged! Poland to persist in :a provocative attitude.”

It is l stated! in Warsaw that official Polish quarters are not .concerned over Herr Foerster’s new status as president in Danzig. It is stated that Poland would not agree to an anchluss but hereafter would not place difficulties in the way of free cultural development of Germans in the Free City, provided the rights of the Polish minority are respected in the light of these principles. The Government considers, that Danzig’s form of government is of secondary importance. Shops in Warsaw are crowded with people seeking " gas masks and commodities. A Polish Government broadqast exhorts the population to keep calm, and .states that adequate supplies will be available ito all. Is is impossible now to buy first-aid sets. It is officially announced in Danzig that the German navy’s training ship Schleswig Plolstein will anchor at Danzig harbour at 8 a.m. to-morrow Germany informed the Polish Government that the Koenigsberg would not visit Danzig on Sunday as was arranged, but the training ship Schleswig Holstein would go instead and the officers would visit the Polish Minister, M. Chodacki, according to the original plans. The official news agency message from Danzig says that the authorities are closing the Danzig border as a counter measure to the Polish closure. The German Official News Agency in Berlin has issued a statement that the war spirit of the Polish Army has reached a climax. The Polish press is sounding the drum of an offensive war. The army is hourly awaiting for the command to strike.

In these circumstances it is considered most probable that the Po.itroops wilL lose their nerve. In its reliance upon the help of the western democracies, the Government no longer is master of the army decisions.

Alarming reports are pouring in from all parts of the country leading to the sure conclusion that local commanders are no longer obeying Warsaw’s orders, but are determined to march on their own responsibility. The statement is considered ominous as it is almost identical to similar statements prior to the German coups in Austria and Czechoslovakia.