RESPECT FOR PACTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1939, Page 7

RESPECT FOR PACTS

RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN & FRANCE. RESISTANCE TO GERMAN DOMINATION. " WARSAW, May 5. In the course of his speech, Colonel Beck said: “It was possible to establish the principles of Anglo-Polish collaboration first, because we made clear to each other the intentions of both Governments, concerning basic European problems, and, secondly, because neither Britain nor Poland had any aggressive intentions but were determined to defend the basic principles of the conduct of international life. “Parallel declarations by French leaders confirm the fact that France and Poland are agreed that our defensive pact will not only not be affected adversely by the changed international situation, but that it constitutes one of the essential elements of the political structure of Europe.” Referring to Herr Hitler's denunciation of the Polish-German Pact because Germany objected to the Anglo-Polish Agreement, Colonel Beck added that the Polish-German Pact had attempted to give a Better course to history and had attempted to remove the unwholesome atmosphere of daily clashes and wider hostile designs and to rise above centuries-long animosities. Poland's policy had proved her respect for pacts. This pact, however, had already lost its real character because there had appeared a tendency to interpret it as limiting the freedom of Polish policy on the ground of demanding from Poland one-sided concessions contrary to her vital interests. Germany had denounced the treaty without consulting the British and Polish Governments concerning the character of the Anglo-Polish Agreement. It would not have been difficult to ascertain its character because he had expressed willingness to receive the German Ambassador immediately after his return from London. The German ambassador had not called till that morning. Colonel Beck spoke slowly and •quietly throughout and only once banged his desk, when he declared that Poland refused to be shut out from the Baltic, at which there was frantic cheering and cries of: “Long Live the Polish Baltic!” The Deputies cheered mention of the Anglo-Polish and Franco-Polish agreements. Colonel Beck’s speech was his maiden speech in Parliament. OPINION IN BRITAIN SATISFACTION IN OFFICIAL QUARTERS. COLONEL BECK'S ATTITUDE COMMENDED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.47 a.m.) RUGBY. May 5. Official quarters in London -state that the report of Colonel Beck's speech have been received in London with lively satisfaction. It is felt that Colonel Beck has made the position of Poland clear, and that he has done so in firm, but yet studiously moderate terms. Whilst Colonel Beck made it clear that Poland will not sacrifice interests, which she believes would be vital to her independence, yet at the same time he closed no doors, and is ready to solve outstanding issues by the method of negotiation. GERMANY PLEASED POLAND SAID TO HAVE • CLIMBED DOWN. . (Received This Day. 10.35 a.m ; ) LONDON. May 5. Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says the impression in unofficial quarters is that Poland has climbed down even further than Germany expected, resulting in the immediate revival of the talk that Germany soon will absorb Danzig. Herr Hitler is at Berchtesgaden, discussing Colonel Beck’s speech with Herr Von Ribbentrop, Herr Forster, the Nazi leader in Danzig, and Herr Greiser, president of the Danzig Senate.

NOTE TO GERMANY ON LINES GF COLONEL BECK'S SPEECH. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.mb WARSAW,'May 5. A memorandum outlining the Polish view of the German proposals, along the lines of Colonel Beck’s speech, has been forwarded to Germany.