BERLIN SYMPATHY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20030, 31 August 1939, Page 5

BERLIN SYMPATHY

PLEAS FOR AMTTY WAY OUT OF IMPASSE WIDESPREAD SEARCH PREPARATIONS IN ITALY HEAT OF ZERO HOUR (Reed. Aug. 31, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 30. Although there is no v/ish immediately to place over-much hope in signs that the tension is easing, evidence is accruing of a widespread search lor a way out of the impasse in Europe. An inspired German statement Issued to journalists in Berlin said that political circles received the mediation offer from Belgium and Holland with the greatest sympathy, and added that German efforts are •being exerted in the same oil action a.s those of the Belgian and Dutch Sovereigns, which were much appreciated. Germany already had taken the initiative, and the issue row depended on the decisions reached. The British United Press correspondent in Berlin commons '-at while professedly anxious not to desftoy the possibility of negotiations with Poland within the framework of the German demands, official circles in Berlin declare that whereas Britain or Belgium and Holland could invite Poland to participat; Germany could not. In this connection they cited Herr Hitler’s letter to M. Da'.adier in which he said he saw no possibility of inducing the Pf’os to come to a peaceful saltationn

The Frenkfurter Zeitung says that the German demand for Danzig and the Corridor is an indispensable prerequisite to all efforts aiming at a solid basis fir European peace,

It is claimed that Poland violated the German-Polish Treaty of 1929 by stopping the privileged express train from Danzig to Berlin at the Corridor frontier.

The correspondent of me Associated Press of Great Britain at Brussels says that informed quarters state that if a conference can be arranged it will probably be held at The Hague.

Berlin resorts that, all car and motor -cycle races in Germany have been cancelled in order to save fuel and also because the majority of the drivers have been called up for military service.

Soap is now scarce and may be sold only under special permits. The German railways as from, to-day will not undertake to carry private passengers.

The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that cafes, dance halls and other places of amusement have been ordered to close by 11 p.m. beginning on Monday, after which the capital will be darkened. Electric signs after to-nigl»t arc forbidden. Sunday is also fixed for the mobilisation of two new military classes and also for the ban on the use of private cars. These instructions have engendered the belief in Rome that the Italian Government expects Sunday to be the zero hour of the crisis. People living in cities and big towns of Italy’near the French frontier have been asked to evacuate. The Italian newspapers are limited to six pages. The Pope has sent messages to Queen Wilhelmina and King Leopold giving “moral support and deepest appreciation’’ of the Vatican for the efforts to mediate between Germany and Poland.