Confidential report from Francis T. Cremins to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(Ass./20) (Confidential)

With reference to your minute of the 14th August, 1939¹, regarding the Agenda on the forthcoming session of the Assembly, I have to forward, for the information of the Minister, the enclosed notes containing all the information, regarding some of the items, which is at present available.

As regards the general situation in Europe and the Far East, opinion in Geneva continues to be calm, if not too optimistic regarding the future. I think it is generally considered that Europe will go through a critical and anxious period in the near future, and that very soon it will have become clear whether or not there is to be war in 1939. In League circles, other danger spots in Europe than Danzig have been spoken of, for example, Hungary, where Nazi pressure was regarded as a possibility, and Yugoslavia. I discussed the position with Mr. Walters, Deputy Secretary-General of the League. He seems to be not at all satisfied that the rulers of Germany are convinced, notwithstanding all the statements by Mr. Chamberlain and others, that Great Britain is serious in regard to her obligations to Poland on a question such as Danzig. There is therefore the danger in his view that Hitler will not refrain from taking risks. Mr. Walters stated that he had heard nothing regarding the nature of the recent discussions between the League High Commissioner for Danzig and Hitler. He regarded as satisfactory, so far as it went, the fact that this interview was due altogether to the initiative of the Führer, but he expected little from it and thought that it was a fact that nothing new had been proposed. He doubted the statement of the 'Times' that Hitler did all the talking, as Mr. Burckhardt talks not only exceedingly well but he talks a lot, and his mother tongue is German.