FOLLOWS HITLER-CIANO CONVERSATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1939, Page 5

FOLLOWS HITLER-CIANO CONVERSATIONS

Talk of Danzig Settlement Plan REPORTED GERMAN PROPOSALS NO INKLING OF HITLER’S REAL INTENTIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON. August 14. The view is held in Paris that the only certainty emerging from the Berchtesgaden conference is that the discussions between Herr Hitler and Count Chino covered more than Danzig. . _. .. • A section of the French Press credits Signor Mussolini with being on the point of proposing a five-Power conference, including I’olaml, but elbowing Russia out into the cold. The most sensational of the many rumours current is that Herr Hitler will speak to the nation on Wednesday and that the German army will march immediately after, but the plain truth is that nobody has the slightest inkling of Herr Hitler s immediate intentions. In London the morning papers similarly contain a line crop of rumours and counter-nimours. _ The “Daily Mail” publishes a story that Signor Mussolini submitted a European peace plan to Herr Hiller embracing treaty revision by international agreement and covering economic and colonial problems with |.»lebiseites Lor the areas affected. . ~ The “Manchester Guardian” refers to a “six-point plan emanating from German sources: — First, liquidation of the League of Nations authority over Danzig. Secondly, that Poland should retain only consulate representation in Danzig to deal with her economic interests. Thirdly, Nazification of the Danzig Government. Lou rt lily, liquidation of the German-Danzig Customs frontier within five years. Fifthly, agreement to demilitarise Danzig on the condition that Poland liquidates her munitions depot at Westerplatte. Sixthly, that a mixed body of Germans, Poles and Danzigers administer the harbour board. The Polish Government’s counter-proposals are allegedly:- — First, permanent cession to Poland ol all West Danzig, including Zoppot. Secondly, cession to Germany ol East Danzig, including Westerplatte. Thirdly, a special harbour board with supreme authority to administer a Polish-German condominium. Fourthly, regulation of the southern frontier on ethnographical principles. In Berln the offical organ, “Diplomatisdie Korrespondenz,” declares that the attempts to sabotage the'Salzburg talks by alleging that plans were discussed to divide Europe will not succeed in diverting Germany from the need 1b settle the Danzig problem, which is not only a demand of peace but also a test of the willingness of others for peace. Field-Marshal Goering’s ■ newspaper, the “National Zeitung,” concludes a bitter attack on the Poles with the words: “Poland is a standing danger to European peace and a misfortune for its inhabitants.” The Independent cable agency says that in Paris there is widespread speculation over the Halo-German talks which have been called the “Salzburg Mystery.” The rumours of a sixpoint plan for Danzig are treated with reserve and regarded as in the nature of a German trial balloon. The general opinion is that the solidarity is not so cemented as the Press makes out.