Posted on 09/02/2008 5:38:50 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Yesterday Viscount Halifax, the British Foreign Secretary, had a long conference with the Polish charge d’affaires in London, and at the same time the British charge d’affaires here conferred with Foreign Minister Josef Beck.
Hans Adolf von Moltke, the German Ambassador, has visited the Polish Foreign Office thrice in the course of a few days. He saw Colonel Beck yesterday and today and another Foreign Office representative two days ago.
While no official communiqué about all this diplomatic activity has been issued, it is known to be connected first with Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s attempt to ascertain on which side Poland will stand if he carries out an attack on Czechoslovakia.
It appears that on May 21, when Europe was facing a grave situation, Hitler was not properly informed of Poland’s attitude, wherefore he is reported anxious now to avoid any miscalculation and wishes to know Poland’s stand before he makes his final decision, to be announced at the Nazi party congress in Nuremberg beginning Monday.
What the Polish reply to this pressure was or is going to be is not known. However, the general view in political circles here is that Germany cannon count on any practical support whatever and that although Poland must welcome the fact that German aggression is directed elsewhere she would prefer to remain neutral as long as possible.
Poland will make her decision only after France, Britain and Russia, not only in theory but also in practice, have shown what aid they can and will give Czechoslovakia if the latter is attacked by Germany.
As regards the Franco-Polish alliance, it is felt in political circles here that this cannot and does not bind Poland to go to France’s assistance if France decides to rush to the defense of Czechoslovakia.
Commenting on the present tense international situation, an inspired article in the semi-official Journal today said:
“The Polish nation is ready to shed its blood whenever it is called on and only in defense of its own policy, its own honor and its own interests. It will, however, never agree to shed its blood in the interests of others or in defense of foreign frontiers.”
Easing of the tension in Europe yesterday resulted in a moderate degree of stabilization in rates quoted here on war-risk insurance for American property abroad, to the extent that “general” rates were quoted at no change during the day, in contrast with hourly fluctuations earlier in the week. The rates yesterday, however, were sharply higher than a month ago, and property in Central Europe could be covered only for thirty days.
Underwriters here quoted 5 per cent for thirty days’ coverage on American property in Czechoslovakia. A month ago, it was possible to buy three months’ coverage for 2 per cent. The general rate on American property in Germany and Poland yesterday was 1 per cent for thirty days as compared with 1 per cent for three months quoted on Aug. 1.
American property in England, except London, was quoted at ½ of 1 per cent for three months, and the rate for London was 1 per cent for three months. On Aug. 1, the same underwriters quoted ¼ of 1 per cent for England, except London, and ½ of 1 per cent for London, the rates being quoted for three months in each instance. For American property in The Netherlands and Belgium, yesterday’s quotation was ½ of 1 per cent for three months as compared with ¼ of 1 per cent quoted on Aug. 1.
Rates for France and Italy were unchanged from the Aug. 1 quotations yesterday, at 1 per cent for three months.
Underwriters explained that these “general” rates were subject to variation according to the location and character of the risks, and that an appreciable amount of war-risk insurance had been placed this week at higher rates on property in danger zones.
So please view the ads and patronize my sponsors. And if that Philco X Model radio set seems expensive even at the low, low sale price of $44.95, remember that you are not just getting the benefit of cutting-edge technology. You are also getting an elegant piece of furniture for your living room or den.
Who are going to believe, some lyin' history book or the New York Times?
In regards to Poland, the Poles behaved shamefully in regard to Czechoslovakia. They were only to eager to throw the Czechs under Hitler’s bus, and grabbed an insignificant part of Czechoslovakia as payment for their complicity. How short-sighted of them. German occupation of Czechoslovakia deprived Poland of the one ally that could have provided real assistance when their number inevitably came up. And, it allowed the Germans a longer flank to enter Poland from the south, which they used to Poland’s disadvantage later.
As for the ads, I loved the ad for the radio. Oh, the good old days, when home electronics were as big as a dresser or end table, and accordingly they were built as furniture. My great-uncle had a radio like that, which I acquired from his estate. The radio was built by RCA in 1937. Up to about 1990, it still worked, and picked up the BBC World Service. Since then, I’ve disposed of the electronic “guts.” The rest of it is still a beautiful piece of furniture, and is sitting in my garage waiting for me to decide what I’m going to make out of it.
1. Germany occupies the Sudetenland (autumn 1938)
2. Hungary occupies border areas (southern third of Slovakia and southern Carpathian Ruthenia) with Hungarian minorities
3. Carpathian Ruthenia received autonomy (autumn 1938).
4. Poland occupies areas Cieszyn Silesia with Polish minority (autumn 1938).
5. In March 1939 the remaining Czech territories becomes the German satellite, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
6. From remainder Czechoslovakia Slovakia is created, becoming another German satellite.
From Wikipedia
The Polish government’s side of the story is that the Czechoslovak government behaved shamefully when they seized disputed territory, where Poles outnumbered Czechs, in 1919, when Poland was at war in the East. Neither act was praiseworthy.
I have a phonograph and subscriptions to both the Herald-Tribune and the Brooklyn Eagle, whatever would I need a fad like radio for?
On September 3, Hitler convoked the chiefs of OKW and OKH, Keitel and Brauchitsch, to the Berghof. Field units, it was agreed, were to be moved into position along the Czech border on September 28. But OKW must know when X Day was by noon on September 27. HItler was not satisfied with the operational plan for "Green" and ordered that it be changed in several respects. From the notes of this meeting kept by Major Schmundt it is clear that Brauchitsch at least - for Keitel was too much the toady to speak up - again raised the question of how they were going to hold out in the west. Hitler fobbed him off with the assurance that he had given orders for speeding up the western fortifications.
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Pg. 378
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