Aug. 16.
Out of the welter of rumours concerning what was discussed at the meeting between Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, and Count Ciano,' Italian Foreign Minister, nothing appears fo have emerged except that it is reported that European ten~ sion is easier—why it should be it is difficult to see, because of the total absence of official statements as to what occurred—and a reported compromise plan for the settlement of the Danzig issue. The first seems to be hopeful, and the second intelligent anticipat tion of what may ultimately result, but for the moment it must be remembered that there is nothing at, present offlial behind the reported plan. 'There is not likely to be until Herr Hitler again makes his intentions known, and instead of being swayed by' every small breeze of rumour Europe would be better advised to await the fulure patient ly, with, of course, its powder dry. On the face of it the reported compromise scheme does not seem incapable of being carried into effect. It might conceivably satisfy German wishes though there is very little in it to suggest that it would be at all acceptable to Poland. The six points of the scheme are as follow 1—The post of League High Commissioner would disappear.
'2—Abolition of Poland's Commissariat General in the Free City, and replacement by a Diplomatic Mission' to secure Polish interests, 3—Danzie's status as a Free City to be revised, with its administration 100 per cent German.
'¢—Gradual liquidation over five years of the customs frontier between Danzig and Germany.
'German guarantee of the demilitariza-"on of Danzig by international agreement, Poland at the same time to abolish her munition depot on' the Westerplatte Penin-the harbour to be controlled by an independent harbour board, comprising representatives of Poland, Danzig and Germany.—Reuter.
Briefly summed up the plan provides for the removal of Danzig from the sphere of the League of Nations, the removal of Poland's Commissariat-General from the Free City, and the substitution of a diplomatic mission to secure Polish interests, and the formation of an administration completely German, with the gradual removal of the customs frantic: between Danzig and Poland over a period five years.
The plan represents a solution entirely in favour of Germany, and if accepted by the latter would merely mean that, instead of immediate action, Herr Hitler would be pre~ pared to accept'a transition which in the end would attain his objectives. The difference between this plan and what Herr Hitler has apparently all along contemplated is purely one of time, and if the plan does not actually say that Danzig shall be included within the Reich the effect of its provisions undoubtedly brings that about. Consequently the proposal that Germany should guarantee the demilitarization of Danzig means nothing; it would be part and parcel of a nation thoroughly militarized, and for Poland to agree to abolish her munition depot on the Westerplatte Peninsula would be to agree to a set-off for which there is in effect no consideration. The sixth point providing that the harbour shall bbe controlled by an independent board consisting of representatives of Germany, Danzig and Poland, placing Poland again in the minority, would appear to contemplate some hope that the very substantial proportion of Poland's trade which has been transferred from Danzig to Gdynia would again be diverted back to its old channel. That is unlikely, for, so long as Poland has a port over which she has control, she is not likely to agree to any arrangement which would require the passage of her trade through a port so patently not under her control, but under that of interests entirely inimical to hers. Thus while the plan might serve as a basis for negotiation it is doubtful in the extreme whether as it stands it would prove acceptable to Polish eyes, for it offers Poland nothing and gives everything to Germany, with, of course, the exception that so long as Gdynia exists Danzig can never hope to regain her former proud position as a port. There, then, is raised the question of the Polish Corridor. So long as that exists, so long will Gdynia continue to work out its destiny as the real Polish port, and it is apparent that without the elimination of the corridor Germany can hope to secure no benefit from the return of Danzig even under this reported scheme.
So much for the reported plan, which may or may not prove to be correct. On such slender material it is not easy to base any reason why it should be thought that European tension is easier. Danzig is only one, and a very minor one at that, of the many ambitions which az> held by the Dictators. The adjust ment of the issue concerning it, would do nothing to satisfy the further aspirations of Germany and Italy either in Europe or elsewhere. There is still the question of German objectives in south-east Europe, the fate of Hungary, of Yugoslavia and Rumania to be considered, and Italian designs cannot be left out of the picture. Any solution of the Danzig issue which in effect represents further concessions on the part of the democracles to the totalitarian states will only be regarded as a sign of weakness, and an incitement to push on with the designs of the Axis Powers in other directions. The only Possible solution of the Danzig question is tone which would do complete justice to both sides, and must, therefore, be a compromise acceptable to both. Herr Hitler is said to be determined upon no compromise; Poland is equally determined that she will not agree to the incorporation of the Free City in the Reich, and the consequent command by the latter' of the mouth of the Vistula and all that: that means to the economic future of Poland. If it were possible to solve the question along lines of compromise there is no reason to believe that any such arrangement would be any longer lived than the accord reached at Munich. German guarantees in the light of all that has happened provide no sure ground upon which the Euro-can nations can negotiate with any degree of security, and until the prevailing atmo:-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.