ADSS 1.101 Memo of Lord Halifax attached to UK Legation Report

ADSS 1.101 Memo of Lord Halifax

Reference: Attached to British Legation Report 38/72/39 (AES 5388/39 and attached to ADSS 1.100)

Location and date: London

Summary statement: Pleased with the Holy See and its intentions; believes the Holy See can work for peace through negotiation as well as laying down principles rather than proposing solutions.  Reports that Hitler has said to the Burckhardt that he is vexed at the Polish ultimatum to the Danzig senate.  If, however, Poland left Danzig alone and did not attack Germans in Poland, he was prepared to wait.  Halifax believes Hitler does not want war.

Language: English

Text:

SECRET

I welcome the helpful attitude of the Cardinal Secretary of State and his apparent willingness to act at least as a channel of communication.

2. Broadly speaking I think that the Vatican has two possible lines of action.  The first would be to make secret approach, at a moment of which they will be the best judges, to the principal Powers for the opening of diplomatic exchanges and to act as an intermediary in these exchanges.  The second would be to make, presumable at a later period, should the crisis reach an acute state, a public approach to the Powers, urging them to find a pacific solution.

3. There is, however, a distinction between advocating procedure for the discussion of the Danzig question and encouraging any particular solution of it.  Any plan which was limited to Danzig and involved the return of Danzig to the Reich in full sovereignty would not appear to offer Poland a basis for negotiation.  Similarly, any suggestion for negotiations or of a meeting in which Poland did not participate on terms of equality would for obvious reasons be unacceptable.

4. You may tell the Cardinal Secretary of State in the strictest confidence that I have had some account of the meeting between Herr Hitler and the High Commissioner for Danzig at Berchtesgaden on August 11, prior to the meeting between Herr Hitler and Count Ciano. (1) The results  of this conversation were inconclusive.  Herr Hitler betrayed extreme irritation against Poland on account of Polish action in presenting what was considered as an ultimatum to the Danzig Senate about the question of Polish Customs inspections and on account of the subsequent Press publicity to the effect that the Senate had given way to Polish firmness.  Herr Hitler did, however, say that if Poland left Danzig absolutely calm and did not attack German prestige he could wait.  He added the condition that the sufferings of the German minority in Poland should cease.  He put forward no proposals for any settlement of the Danzig question in its wider aspect.  Meanwhile there is a prospect of conversations on local issues continuing in Danzig.  Though Herr Hitler said much about the relative strength of German arms he seemed anxious to avoid a way.  He said in over-simple terms that the necessity for Germany lay in having grain and timber and in being self-sufficient, but for this purpose he made it clear he required a free hand in the east.  He said at the same time that he was ready to negotiate about thi question of economic necessity, but he could not negotiate if his prestige was attacked, and he was challenged by ultimatums.

5. If you convey this summary of the conversation to the Cardinal Secretary of State you should emphasise that it should be kept absolutely secret.  I do not wish to compromise Monsieur Burkhardt’s position.

Notes: 

(1) Karl Jacob Burckhardt (1891-1974), League of Nations High Commissioner in Danzig 1937-39, met with Hitler at Obersalzburg on 11.08.1939.  See DBFP, Series 3, Volume 6, n659, pp688-89.  Also at http://www.worldfuturefund.org/wffmaster/Reading/Germany/Burckhardt.htm

ADSS 1.100 Osborne to Maglione: Message from Lord Halifax

Volume and Document Number: ADSS 1.100 D’Arcy Osborne, UK Minister to Holy See, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: British Legation 38/72/39; AES 5388/39 (BDFP Series 3, Volume 7, n23, pp23-24)

Location and date: Rome 17.08.1939

Summary statement: Osborne conveys a message from For Sec Lord Halifax.

Language: French

Text:

Lord Halifax has instructed me to speak to you on the subject of the Secret Memorandum enclosed.

Regarding its first paragraph I must explain that I had expressed to Lord Halifax my personal conviction that your Eminence, with His Holiness’ authority, would always be ready to act in the interests of peace if an opportune occasion would present itself. (1) I think I was right?

In the second and third paragraphs Lord Halifax gives his ideas on the possible actions which would be open to the Holy See.  But, in expressing these ideas, he has no intention of recommending an initiative on the part of the Hoy See.  He limits himself to considering the question from an academic point of view.

The remaining part of the Memorandum contains information which Lord Halifax authorises me to impart to your Eminence on the recent conversation between Herr Hitler and Monsieur Burckhardt (2) and he orders me to insist with you on the point that this information be considered as absolutely secret because we must at any prince not compromise Monsieur Burckardt’s position.

Notes: 

(1) On 12 August, following an interview with Cardinal Maglione, Osborne telegraphed Lord Halifax to say that the Cardinal did not reject the idea that the Vatican may be used as an intermediary for an exchange of views.  See DBFP, Series 3, Volume 6, n639, p675.

(2) Karl Jacob Burckhardt (1891-1974), League of Nations High Commissioner in Danzig 1937-39.