Confidential report from Michael MacWhite to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(Confidential)

Diplomatic activity over the past week has gone on unabated and it would appear as if some kind of a decision regarding the fate of Danzig is in the offing. It is believed that about ten days ago Hitler's impatience had reached the limit, but that the wiser and more pacific advice of the Duce prevailed.

Ciano's mission to Berchesgaden last week, about which nothing official has transpired, is said to be mainly to persuade Hitler against the employment of force. The Italians are not enthusiastic about a war that would secure Danzig for Germany and the idea of fighting against Poland with which there has been secular ties is repugnant to their spirit and sentiment.

The Duce realises perhaps that despite the threats of Chamberlain and Halifax, England is prepared to abandon Poland to her fate, just as Czechoslovakia was abandoned. The activities of the League High Commissioner for Danzig², which are probably inspired by the British Foreign Office, have for object to try to persuade Poland to come to a pacific agreement with Germany in regard to their mutual problems, but, by all accounts Poland will fight to maintain the status quo in which case England and France might be forced to participate in the conflict.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister, who has been visiting his German colleague jumped into a German plane yesterday morning and flew to Rome without any previous warning. Before starting out he said his visit to Germany was purely personal and had nothing to do with politics, but important new items appeared to the effect that Germany was bringing pressure to bear on Hungary either to join the Axis or to take some measures either against Roumania or Poland. Diplomats here are of the opinion that Count Csaky has come here to appeal to the Duce for protection or to ask him to use his influence with Hitler to modify his demands.

Count Ciano is going on a visit to Albania today which is causing a certain commotion in Greek and Yugoslavian circles.