Confidential report from Con Cremin to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(P. 19/34) (Copy)

The general feeling here at the moment could probably be summed up by saying that Germany is now engaged in a campaign in which she intends to use all sorts of means, short of war, to lead to the return of Danzig to the Reich and that it is up to France (and Great Britain) not to yield in their support of Poland in the attitude she has taken up. The German concentration on a settlement of the Danzig problem is not taken to mean that this constitutes her only claim. On the contrary, the opinion, which is general, that the main object of the Salzburg conversations with Count Ciano and those which have taken place and are reported to be about to be renewed, with Count Csaky¹ was to get Hungary completely subordinate to Germany (and to receive the consent of Italy, regarded as having been Hungary's friend, to this idea) implies that German designs even in the near future go further; and this is the general belief which has been nurtured by claims against Poland as a whole advanced in German newspapers over the week-end. It is considered as probable, though not certain, that Italy has agreed in regard to Hungary and, therefore, as not unlikely that Hungary will collaborate with Germany - although reports of opposition in Hungary to such a policy have been reproduced, Italian influence would, it is more than ever believed here, be in favour of moderation and a pacific settlement of all matters but French opinion is becoming more and more openly sceptical of Italy's ability to adopt any foreign policy independently of Germany. The statement in the 'Times' as to a request to Poland from Italy for an aide-mémoire in regard to the Danzig problem and the Polish attitude was made independently here in a few newspapers.

In regard to the immediate problem it is claimed that Germany would like to find a 'Lord Runciman' in the person of M. Burckhardt; but it is also claimed that neither France nor England will accept another Munich. The reports from London that England has no intention of exercising pressure on Poland seem to be welcomed here.

At the week-end there was a certain amount of feeling, especially because of the prolongation of the Salsburg talks that things were rapidly reaching a final crisis. Opinion is, however, being repeatedly warned by the Press to beware of such reported 'crises'. The opinion today, based to some extent on reports of feeling in Berlin, is that the tension is less.