DANZIG’S STATUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 6

DANZIG’S STATUS

INCORPORATION BY GERMANY VALIDITY NOT RECOGNISED BY BRITAIN. INTERFERENCE WITH POLISH RIGHTS. V (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.27 a.m.) RUGBY, September 1. Britain does not recognise either the validity of the grounds on which the action of the Danzig authorities in proclaiming the incorporation of Danzig in the Reich is based or the validity of the action itself. Herr Foerster was made head of the State by a decree of the Senate of Danzig on August 23. This decree was contrary to the constitution of Danzig. Concurrently the rights secured to Poland in Danzig by treaty were continuously and progressively violated and there was interference with Polish property and Polish interests in Danzig. Poland protested against these various measures but in order to avoid provocation and any increase in tension, she took no forcible action to protect her interests. This morning, Herr Foerster, in his capacity as head of the State, decreed the incorporation of Danzig in the Reich and asked Herr Hitler to carry out this reincorporation by law of the German Reich. The international status of Danzig as a Free City is established by treaty, of which Britain is a signatory and the Free City was placed under the protection of the League of Nations. The rights given Poland in Danzig by treaty are defined and confirmed by agreements concluded between Danzig and Poland. This morning’s action represents the final step in the unilateral repudiation of these international instruments, which according to theii terms, were only modifiable by negotiation.