Confidential report from Francis T. Cremins to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(S. Gen. 1/1) (Confidential)¹ (Dublin)

With reference to previous reports on the international situation, I have to state for the information of the Minister that I had a brief conversation yesterday with M. Komarnicki (Minister for Poland at Berne) who is here for the meeting of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation. I asked him if the reports which appeared in the morning papers of an agreement between Poland and Germany regarding Danzig were true. He replied that the reports had been denied. There was not only no agreement, but no negotiations even were going on. I asked if Poland would fight if Danzig attached itself to the Reich. He replied 'certainly', adding that the Germans might take Danzig, but it would not be a town they would have but the ashes of a town. Poland could destroy Danzig, he said, with her heavy coastal artillery.

I asked for his views on the general situation, and he said that the Germans have placed themselves in such a position that they will find it difficult to draw back. He does not think however that war will break out in the north. He expressed the view that the Germans would leave the starting of a war to Italy, and he gave as his reason that Germany would then be sure to have Italy at her side, whereas if it were a German-started war, the Italians might not join.

Thus, the Yugoslavs express the view that the threat in the north is greatest, whereas the Poles seem to think that the more immediate danger lies in the south. It is hardly worth recording such diverse views, but I record them simply as coming from persons who, one would expect, are in touch with opinion in the different areas.

At present, the general feeling of attente is apparent here. It is regarded I think as being due to the fact that Germany and Italy have to stand back and take stock of the new situation brought about by the Anglo-French guarantees, and to the fact that a date has been fixed for the German reply to President Roosevelt's letter, before which it is hoped that nothing serious will happen.