§ 47. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the critical Polish-Lithuanian frontier situation; and whether the British Government are endeavouring under Article II, Section 2, of the Covenant to secure a peaceful settlement through the Council of the League of Nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that anxiety has been caused by the unwillingness of the Polish Government to agree to the local settlement of an incident in which a Polish frontier guard was killed on Lithuanian territory on 11th March, and by their reported intention to make 583 use of this incident to impose upon the Lithuanian Government a settlement of the differences between the two Governments. His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw has been instructed to impress upon the Polish Government the importance His Majesty's Government attach to an amicable settlement of this incident.
§ Mr. ManderDoes this not seem part of an agreed programme, in which the rape of Austria plays its part, and will not the Prime Minister take immediate action to rally the sense of security throughout Europe?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes not the Prime Minister consider that public discussion of the merits of the Polish grievances and the immediate dispatch of an impartial League of Nations Commission to both capitals would tend to stabilise the situation and to preserve peace?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the steps that are now being taken are the best available.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs it not the fact that the Polish Government are under a duty to submit this issue for judicial arbitration, or to inquiry by the League, under the provisions of Article 12 of the Covenant?
§ The Prime MinisterI must have notice of that question.