HC Deb 06 July 1936 vol 314 cc833-5
18. Mr. A. HENDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the present position in Danzig?

20. Mr. V. ADAMS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with regard to the situation in Danzig?

23. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information on the position in Danzig; whether the High Commissioner has made any report on the dangers of revolutionary movements on the part of the Nazi party; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent such dangers?

Mr. EDEN

The House will be aware that the League of Nations High Commissioner for Danzig communicated on 30th June to the Secretary-General of the League a report on recent events in the Free City. The substance of that report has already appeared in the Press. Mr. Lester's report was considered by the Council of the League of Nations on 4th July; and the Council decided to ask the representative of Poland, which under the Statute of the Free City is charged with the conduct of the foreign relations of Danzig, to deal with the incident raised by the cruiser's visit through the diplomatic channel and to report to the Council on the results of the action which it may have been possible to take. Following upon the speeches delivered in the Council by Herr Greiser, the President of the Danzig Senate, the Council decided to appoint two additional members of the Council, the representatives of France and Portugal, to assist the rapporteur, the representative of the United Kingdom, in his task.

Mr. HENDERSON

Is it not the case that the League Commissioner has exercised his powers with the utmost discretion and is not the trouble due to the fact that the Nazi party in Danzig seek power to destroy their Catholic and Socialist opponents?

Mr. EDEN

I have said what I had to say on this subject before the Council of the League, and I do not think I can usefully add anything to my answer.

Mr. V. ADAMS

Might not a possible solution be fresh elections in Danzig with an international force on the successful Saar model?

Mr. SANDYS

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of proposing at Geneva that a plebiscite should be held in Danzig to ascertain the wishes of the people as to their future status?

Mr. EDEN

My hon. Friend must bear in mind that this matter is regulated by treaty, and that the two Powers principally concerned are Poland and Germany.

Mr. DALTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman acting in friendly co-operation with the Polish Government in this matter?

Mr. EDEN

Yes, Sir.

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