VITAL MESSAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1939, Page 7

VITAL MESSAGE

SENT BY MR CHAMBERLAIN TO HERR HITLER Reported Reply to German Note THREATENING PARTITION OF POLAND FAILING ACCEPTANCE OF AUTONOMY UNDER PROTECTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, August. 23. Official confirmation in London that the British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson, is seeing Herr Hitler today has provided a dramatic new turn to the crisis. Sir Nevile Henderson left Berlin by air at 9.20 a.m. for Salzburg - , whence he will immediately motor to Berchtesgaden. It is understood he is bearing a vital message from Mr Chamberlain. It is authoritatively stated that the Ambassador will present to Herr Hitler a statement along the lines of last night’s Cabinet communique. The French and Polish Governments have been advised. France has sent thousands of reservists to the frontiers overnight. The Government is anxiously awaiting M. Naggiar’s report from Moscow, as on this will depend a decision on whether to break off the staff talks. President Lebrun will preside over a meeting of the Council of Ministers at 10 a.m. tomorrow, when it is expected new decrees will be made enabling further military measures. The correspondent in Berlin of the Associated Press of Great Britain, in a message received later today, says it is reliably stated that a German Note which has been sent to Britain actually detailed a memorandum from Herr Hitler to Mr Chamberlain setting out Germany’s uncompromising position regarding Poland. .Mr Chamberlain decided to reply in the terms of the Cabinet communique, which has not been published in the German newspapers. Herr Hitler is reported to have declared that if Poland fought it would mean partition, but if it chose to settle the dispute peacefully Germany would agree on an arrangement somewhat similar to that in Bohemia and namely that Poland would enjoy autonomy under German protection. Herr Hitler repeated in strong language that neither Britain nor France was concerned in Germany’s dispute with Poland. The correspondent understands that this is the second document within two weeks sent to Mr Chamberlain. The first memorandum was handed to Mr Chamberlain by a private individual standing close to the Prime Minister and also enjoying the confidence of the highest Nazi circles.