DEMOCRACIES NOW FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 5

DEMOCRACIES NOW FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND

At .9 a.m. to-day, Sunday, the- British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Nevile Henderson, informed the German Government that unless, not later than 11 a.m., satisfactory assurances reached London that the German Government had suspended all aggressive action against Poland and was prepared promptly to withdraw" the German forces from Polish territory, then a state of war would exist between Britain and Germany as from that hour. Mr. Chamberlain broadcast from No. 10 DowningStreet at 11.15 a.m.: “I have to tell you now no such undertaking has been received and in consequence, this country is at war with Germany, “You can imagine what a bitter blow this is to me that all my long struggle to win peace has failed. Yet 1 cannot believe that there is anything more or anything different that could have been done that would have been more successful. “Up to the very last it would have been possible to arrange a peaceful and honourable settlement between Germany and Poland, but Herr Hitler would not have it. He had evidentlv made np his mind to attack Poland whatever happened, and although he now says he put forward reasonable proposals, which were rejected by the Poles, that is not a true statement. These proposals had never been shown to the Poles nor to us, although they were announced in Germany, but broadcast on Thursday. Herr Hitler did not wait to hear the comment on thorn, but ordered his troops to cross the Polish frontier next morning. “Herr Hitler’s action shows convincingly that there is no chance of expecting that this man will ever give up his practice of using force in order to g"ain his will. We and France are ready to-day to fulfil our obligations to Poland, who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack on her people. We have a clear conscience. We have done all any country could do to establish peace. “A situation in which no word given by Germany’s ruler could be trusted and no people or country feel safe lias become intolerable. Now we have resolved to finish it, and I know you will play your part with calmness and courage.' At such a moment as this the assurances of support we have received from the Empire are a source of profound encouragement. The Government has made plans under which it will be possible to carry on the nation’s work.” Mr. Chamberlain concluded: ‘ 1 May God bless you all. May we defend' the right. It is the evil things we shall be fighting—brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression, persecution and agninst them I am certain the right will prevail.” Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Chamberlain generally repeated bis earlier declaration. His speech concluded: “This is sad for us all. Everything I have worked for and believed in has crashed in ruins.” Mr. Chamberlain’s voice trembled as lie continued, striking the table with his hand. “Only one thing is left for me, namely, to devote what strength and powers I have to forwarding to victory the cause for which, we have to sacrifice ourselves.” The Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, announced in the House oi: Lords that passports had been handed to the German Charge d’Affaires. Lord Halifax said: “As long as force is the arbiter wo are bound to look forward, to a new crisis every six months and see one country after another made the object of menace.” This was thb answer to those who asked why Britain into resled herself in a dispute not immediately concerning her. A message from Berlin states that Germany rejected the British ultimatum. Herr Hitler announced lie was taking the field of battle in person. The United States Embassy is taking over British interests in Germany. Following the delivery by Sir Nevile .Henderson of I he British announcement that unless by 11 a.m. the Government of Germany had given satisfactory assurances that German troops would be withdrawn from Poland a state of war would exist, the German Government spokesman intimated that Germany would not reply to the ultimatum.

, SUCCESSOR NAMED PRESIDENT OF POLAND CHIEF OF THE ARMY (Reed. Sept. 4, i) a.rri.) WARSAW, Sept. 2. The President of Poland. M. Mosciciki, has designated Marshal Smigly-Rydz to succeed him in the event of his death. Marshal Smigly-Rydz has been appointed Commander-in-chief of the Polish forces. The Polish spokesman stated that the Poles had informed Herr Hitler of their readiness to negotiate, but Herr Hitler did not reply.

DANZIG DEPARTURE LEAGUE COMMISSrONEII (Reed. Sept. 4, 9 a.m.) KAUNAS (Lithuania), Sept. 2. Dr. K. Burckhardt, the League ol' Nations Commissioner in Danzig, stated that Herr Foerster had notified him that his duties in the Free City had finished and he must leave his office within two hours to enable the Swastika to be hoisted. He left Danzig escorted by members of the Gestapo When Dr. Burckhardt was entering the car there were shouts of “Kill the dog.”

(Flee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 4, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in a broadcast speech to-night, proclaimed England at war with Germany. Mr. Chamberlain said that up to the last it would have been “quite possible to save and arrange a peaceful and honourable settlement with Germany, but Herr Hitler would not have it.” “You can imagine what a bitter blow this is to me,” said Mr. Chamberlain. The actions of this man show that he will never do Otherwise than use force in the attainment of his will. Mr. Chamberlain added that France was joining Britain in fulfilling her pledges to maintain Boland s independence. Mr. Chamberlain declared that Herr Hitler had evidently made up his mind to attack Boland, no matter what happened. He added that the Fuehrer evidently had not even shown his proposals to the Bolish Government, and that Britain’s ultimatum had passed without a reply.