THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 2, 1939,
BRITAIN'S DRAMATIC ATTEMPT TO SAVE DISASTER ON LAST DAY OF AUGUST
London, To-day.
GENERAL
THE CORRESPONDENCE between Britain and Ger- RAF.
many was issued in the form of a White Paper last night.
An explanatory note shows that a dramatic attempt was made to save the situation on the last day of August.
Britain, replying to Germany on August 28, made sugges- tions for direct discussions between Germany and Po- land, and informed Germany, on Poland's authorisa- tion, that Poland was ready at once to enter into direct discussions with Germany.
A written German reply to this communication was handed to Sir Nevile Henderson ̈*(our Ambassador in Berlin) on August 29, and "quite apart from the complete distortion of the events leading
to the crisis," the reply demanded the ar- rival in Berlin of a Polish emissary with full powers during the course of August 30.
up
Britain's second reply was com- municated at midnight on August 30 to Herr von Ribbentrop (the Nazl Foreign Minister), whose long answer was to produce a document which was read rapidly in German.
out
This was apparently the 16-point plan which Germany has since pub- lished.
TOO LATE!
When Sir Nevile Henderson asked for the text of these proposals, Herr von Ribbentrop asserted that it was now too late as the Polish plenipoten- tiary had not arrived by midnight.
BRITISH
CALLING UP
LONDON, TO-DAY.
THE AIR MINISTRY ANNOUNCES THAT ALL AIRMEN OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESERVE, IN- CLUDING THE VOLUNTEER RE-
SERVE, MUST REPORT IMME- DIATELY.
The Auxiliary Air Force, the Au- xiliary Air Force Reserve and Wo- men's Auxiliary Air Force have already been called up-Reuter.
ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY
(Continued from Page 7)
THE ULTIMATUM
"The British and French Ambas- sadors, in Berlin have been instructed to give the German Government the following document:
"Early this morning the Ger- man Chancellor issued a pro- clamation to the German army which indicated clearly that he was about to`attack Poland.
"Information just received by the British and French Govern- ments indicates that German "troops have · crossed the Pollah frontler and that attacks are proceeding.
"In these circumstances it appears
lation directed to that end."
to
A Bill, he said, would be laid before the House which, for all practical purposes, would amount
extension of
the Military Training Act, and all fit men be- tween the ages of 18 and 41 would be liable to military service. Steps would be taken to ensure that manpower required for industry would not be taken away.
Mr. Chamberlain recorded the satisfaction of himself and the Government that throughout these last days of crisis, Signor Musso- lini had also been doing his beat for a solution. (Cheers).
Page
EVACUATION WITH A SMILE
London, To-day.
Tho evacuation of London children was carried out with- out a hitch, with smiles every- where and hardly a tear.
Reports soon came from the ra- ception arena of warm and friendly welcomes for the chil- dren.
"
The evacuation was a triumph of good organisation.—Reuter.
BUSTER" DOES NOT AGAIN
"Buster;" the escaping seal of Cal- gery's St. George's Zoo, has done it again. He escaped from the Zoo and spent six days and travelled 100 miles down the Bow river before being re- captured.
was
On his return to captivity "Buster" when he watched his chance, and
he watching thought nobody pushed his performing table to the wall of his cage and climbed the bars to a point above the wire netting.
Finding he couldn't squeeze through down into his the bars he dived pool, came out wet and glistening, made the second attempt and slipped through.
A screaming woman brought keepers in a hurry, and "Buster" was again recaptured and returned to his home.
greater part of the world.
"We have no quarrel with the German people except that they allow themselves to be governod by the Nazi Government.
PLAIN SPEAKING "As long as that government exists and pursues the methods which it so persistently has followed in the last two years, there can be no peace in
Poland, on learning of these de- velopments, Informed Britain during the afternoon of August 31 that they would authorise their Ambassador, Count Lipski, to state that Poland had accepted the British proposals for negotiations. the Independence of Poland, which "We shall enter into it with a clear Count Lipski was not received by call for Implementation by the Bri-conscience, with the support of the Herr von Ribbentrop until the even-tish and French Governments of the Dominions and the British Empire and ing of August 31, and after the in- undertaking given by them to Poland with the moral terview, the Germans broadcast their to come to her assistance. proposals forthwith.
"Now it remains for us to set our to the British and French Govern- teeth and enter upon this struggle menta that by their action the German which we so earnestly have endea-Europe. Government` has created the condi-voured to avold, with determination tions, namely, an aggressive act of to see it through to the end. force against Poland and threatening
CLEAR CONSCIENCE
to
CONTACT IMPOSSIBLE Count Lipski immediately tried
but establish contact with Warsaw ..was unable to do so because all means of communication between Poland and Germany had been closed by .Germany.
The correspondence begins with a letter from Mr. Chamberlain to Hitler on August 22, in which Mr. Chamber- lain warned the Nazi leader that whatever might prove to be the na- ture of the German-Soviet agree- alter Britain's ment it could not obligation to Poland, which the Gov- ernment was determined to fulfil.
IF WAR STARTED. Mr. Chamberlain, further sald it would be a dangerous illusion to think that if war once started it would come to an early end, even if success was secured on one of the several fronts on which, it would be engaged.
Mr. Chamberlain expressed the con- viction that a war between the Bri- tish and German peoples would be the greatest calamity that could occur.
"I am accordingly to Inform your Excellency that unless the German Government is prepared to`give His Majesty's Government satisfactory aș- surances that the German Govern- ment is to suspend all aggressive ac- tion against Poland, and are prepared promptly to withdraw their forces from Polish territory, His Majesty's Government will without hesitation fulfil their obligations."
IN THAT CASE, WE ARE READY
If the reply to this last warning is unfavourable and (Mr. Chamberlain told the House) "I do not suggest it is likely to be otherwise, the British Am- bassador has been instructed to ask for his passport.
"In that case, we are ready.”
Mr. Chamberlain then announced that our defence preparations had al- ready been made public.
He added: "The thoughts of many of us must at this moment. Inevitably be turned back to 1914, and to a comparison of our poal- tion now and that which 'existed" then.
"How do we stand at this time?
The answer is that all three Ser-
It was desired by neither people, and he urged a truce to press polemics and all incitement, during which time steps could be taken to deal with vices are ready and the situation ir complaints from either side as re- | all directions is far more favourable gards the treatment of minorities. — Reuter.
BORSTAL BOYS TO PLAY RUGBY FOR A TOWN
and reassuring than in 1914.
"The main" and most satisfactory thing to observe is that there is no. need for an appeal in a general way for recruits such as that issued by Lord Kitchener. 26 years ago."
CONSCRIPTION DECISION Turning to the future, Mr. Cham-
· Borstal boys may play Rugby for | berlain, said: “It is essential in the the town of Us, near Newport, next
season.
The vicar of Usk, the Rev. W. M. Davies, president of Usk k R.F.C., has -been supported by townspeople in his - suggestion that boys of the Usic Bora- tal School should be selected for the Junior XV.
face of the tremendous task con- fronting us, more especially in view of our past experience, to organise our man-power this time upon as methodical, equitable and economic a basis as possible,
"The Government therefore pro- poses immediately 'to introduce legla-
:
"We are resolved that these methods must come to an end, and if we can re-establish in the world the rules of of good faith and the renunciation force, then even the sacrifices entail- ed upon us would And their fullest approval of the justification"-Reuter.
London Press
Headlines "Nagi Spy"
Here's the best
spy film yet
LIONEL OLLIER *
FRIDAY, SHE
"Nazi Spy
"I IMPLORE YOU TO SEE THIS FILM!"
Anti-Nazi and a good film
shirks nothing anyhow
Nazi
based
lms About
Priklad
Fact Plus Fiction
Film Tells of Nazi Spy Rout in America spy film on fact
Hitler. As An “Actor'
By lan Conter
TO-DAY of
Film Exposure of Nazi Spy Terrorism
Hollywood Puts The Sp Ring On The Spot