Less Tension in Danzig

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 5

Less Tension in Danzig

League Expectation APPOINTEMEN OF NEW COMMISSIONER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Feb. 1. The Foreign Secretary made a long statement at question time in the House of Commons in reply to several members regarding Danzig. After tracing the recent history of Danzig before the League Council, Mr Eden referred to the examination of the Polish representatives’ report on ilia negotiations with the Danzig Senate by tho Committee of Threo consisting of the French and Swedish Foreign Ministers and himself. The Committee had recalled how in the earlier phase the Danzig question before the League had assumed the aspect of disputes between the Free City and Poland, and how latterly it had taken an aspect which was not to bo foreseen at the time tho Statute was drafted, namely, of appeal to the constitutional liberties guaranteed under tho Statute. Tho guarantee thus given tko Committee, he pointed out, Had no essential connection with tho normal functions of the League. But having given it, the League was bound to do its best to fulfil it. The Committee put forward the conclusion that information which it had received from the Polish representatives and assurances which had been given to him on behalf of the Senate offered sufficient grounds for expecting that tho political tension in tho Free City would bo lessened and .that conditions would be established m which the High Commissioner would be better able to discharge his functions. It was not without grave preoccupations that the Committee recommended to the Council the adoption of the rejiort and tho appointment of a new High Commissioner. But the Committee was influenced by the fact that the guarantee by the League of the Constitution of the Free City ia part of n complex political structure to the disturbance of which the Council would certainly wish to avoid contributing as long as possible. The Committee added that the new High Commissioner would, when he had been able to form a definite opinion, certainly wish to let the Council know under what practical conditions he thought he could carry out his functions. In conclusion, Mr. Eden stated that the Committee’s report had been adopted by the Council, and it was intended to appoint a new High Commissioner as soon as possible.