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NEW ACCENTS IN THE BRITISH STAND TOWARDS POLAND AT THE END OF 1937

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Nowak-Kielbikowa M.

Dzieje Najnowsze

2008

issue 2

49-59

The titular accents were associated with the striving of the British government, aimed at reducing the threat facing its global interests and posed by a number of aggressive states, including the German Reich. An agreement with the latter was envisaged as an effective countermeasure that would guarantee the preservation of peace and thus gain time for additional armament. Poland ascribed essential significance to the evolution of the British policy, which took into consideration the possibility of offsetting German complaints about the Versailles Treaty resolutions; the chief problem in Polish-German relations was the uncertain situation of the Free City of Gdansk. The incidents occurring therein produced fears that Germany could demand changes of the City's statute, which would, in turn, imperil Polish interests. This question became drastically conspicuous during the talks held by Lord Halifax and the Chancellor of the Reich at Berchtesgaden. It became apparent that signing an agreement would involve abandoning the Versailles Treaty and recognising Germany as a great power. When the Chancellor avoided discussing the proposed return of the colonies, the British guest drew attention to other potentially controversial questions, mentioning first Gdansk, and then Austria and Czechoslovakia. At the same time, he stressed that the British government was concerned not so much with the maintenance of the status quo in this region as with avoiding further troubles by means of agreements that would entail the good will and consent of the interested parties. Although the Chancellor ultimately did not broach the question of Gdansk, the course of Lord Halifax's visit proved relevant for Poland. When the British shared details of the visit with the French side, the Minister of Foreign Affairs voiced the opinion that it would be best if Poland and Germany could solve this problem on their own; only if this plan failed would the French and British governments be compelled to step in. The Polish government was not informed about the outcome of the Halifax visit either by London or by Paris. Meanwhile, reflections about the international situation pursued in London led to the conclusion that if Germany were to require prestigious success the easiest solution would be to proclaim the unity of Gdansk and the Reich.

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1 Dzieje Najnowsze

1 Nowak-Kielbikowa M.

1 2008

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NEW ACCENTS IN THE BRITISH STAND TOWARDS POLAND AT THE END OF 1937