WILD RUMOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1939, Page 5

WILD RUMOURS

DENOUNCED BY COLONEL BECK CIRCULTED BY NAZI SYMPATHISERS. SOME TALK OF MEDIATION BY HORTHY. WARSAW, July 2. In a telephonic interview with the London “Sunday Graphic” the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, said: “Poland is calm but determined. No threats will worry us. Whatever happens, our attitude and actions are marked clearly. The situation in Danzig this weekend is very quiet. “We regard any rumours of drastic Nazi action as being circulated <by Nazi sympathisers here. We strongly discount rumours of gas masks and big guns. It is all part of a whispering war against us.” Colonel Beck at length conferred with the Polish Commissioner in Danzig, M Chodacki, who was specially summoned to Warsaw. It is expected that the result of the talk will be a Polish Note to the Danzig Senate seeking an explanation of the formation of the "Free Corps,” the installation of anti-aircraft guns, and the storage of food, states the Warsaw correspondent of the British United Press. The belief is growing that Herr Hitler has deferred his annexation plans in face of Britain’s and France’s energetic action. Point is given to this by the reported intention of Herr Hitler to visit Danzig by warship on July 23. Poland is not likely to object to the visit, against which there is no legal obstacle. It is understood that the Hungarian Regent, Admi ’al Horthy, by the authority of the Pope and Signor Mussolini, is attempting to mediate in the crisis. A British United Press message from Danzig states: “A casual observer could not regard the Free City as a smouldering volcano. Everyone is enjoying a normal Sunday and citizens are treking to the beaches.” POLISH TROOPS READY IN EVENT OF NAZI COUP. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) •WARSAW, July 2. It is reported that Polish troops are in readiness to occupy Danzig in the event of a Nazi coup there, while frontier garrisons have been heavily, reinforced. AIR RAID PROTECTION INSTALLATION THROUGHOUT POLAND. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 2. A Press Association cablegram states that an emergency decree makes it compulsory that every house throughout Poland shall provide air raid protection before September 1. A commission is being appointed to supervise installations. “THIS MUST STOP!” AIR MARSHAL ON THREATS OF AGGRESSION. BRITAIN’S DETERMINATION AND POWER. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON. July 2. Air Marshal Lord Trenchard, in a speech at Stirling, said: “The time has come to say that this living under continual threats of aggression must stop. We have had enough of it. Britain has given way in order to preserve peace, but there comes a time when people say: ‘This must stop!’ That time has come now. Not only do we mean to fight if there is any more aggression, but we have the power now to do so. Our Army, Navy and Air Force are more powerful than they have even been in peace time. Woe betide those who do not believe it.”

MAJORITY FOR PEACE

IF NATIONS COULD EXPRESS THEMSELVES. DECLARATION BY FRENCH PRESIDENT. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS. .Inly 2. Marshal Gamelin has returned from an inspection of the" Alpine fortifications and conferred with IVI. Daladier. The President, M Lebrun, in a speech at Montpellier, said: “France feels that if the nations could express themselves by a sincere plebiscite a majority would join the Western democracies in an effort to organise a peace front.” MEETING DENIED HITLER AND MUSSOLINI. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 2. A message from Rome states that wireless stations broadcast a denial that Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler met secretly last week. STATE FUNERAL. ATTENDED BY FUEHRER. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) MUNICH, July 2. Herr Hitler has left here to attend , the state funeral of Genera] Knochenhauer at Hamburg.