NAZI STATEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1939, Page 7

NAZI STATEMENT

Determination to Recover City BUT WARLIKE SOLUTION REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT BRITAIN IS BLUFFING (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, July 21. It is officially stated that a spokesman, in a special statement, said: —“We reject a warlike solution of the Danzig problem by one hundred per cent, and we maintain our demands for the unconditional return of Danzig to the Reich, but Herr Hitler is convinced that this can be achieved peacefully. The Hitler Government is determined to achieve Danzig’s return. We do not desire to create a crisis as a means of solving the problem, and we definitely do not expect any so-called August crisis.’’ Referring to Germany’s military measures, the spokesman said: “We cannot overlook the possibility of a non-peaceful solution, despite our wishes and intentions. Whatever military measures we have taken or may take are not a threat, but purely defensive preparation.” In reply to a question of how long Germany was willing to wait for a peaceful solution, the spokesman answered : “Not for years but probably for months. The German view is that the Postelau incident'(the shooting and wounding of a Polish, border guard) is closed.” The spokesman indicated that Germany expected that the Poles ultimately would yield, perhaps agreeing to a general Polo-German settlement, including such points as a German guarantee of frontiers. The Nazis are convinced that when the time came. Britain would urge Poland to make concessions. The spokesman added that he was reflecting most faithfully the attitude of the Hitler Government. Though a belief persists that Britain is bluffing, it is expected that she may go farther than at Munich, but finally will not fight for Danzig. Dr Ley, fresh from Berchtesgaden, said: “The Fuhrer does not think of war, but desires peace and order.”