760C.62/1210: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 31—2 a.m.]
965. Continuing my 964, August 31. Shortly after Henderson’s return from this interview he received from a secret emissary in whom the British had confidence an oral statement of what was said to be the proposals which Ribbentrop had read to the British Ambassador but which he had not understood. These proposals I understand are briefly and approximately as follows:
- 1.
- The Free City of Danzig to be returned immediately to Germany.
- 2.
- A southern boundary of the Corridor to be drawn from Marienburg through Graudenz, Bromberg to a town to the northeast of Mareneidemuhl.
- 3.
- In that area of the Corridor a plebiscite is to be held on the basis of the population on January 1, 1918 with an absolute majority deciding.
- 4.
- Pending the plebiscite that area is to be administered by an international commission consisting of representatives of England, France, Italy and Russia and in the meanwhile the Polish police and military are to be withdrawn in favor of an international force.
- 5.
- During the regime of the international commission free communication is to be established between Germany and Danzig and Poland and Gdynia.
- 6.
- After the plebiscite an exchange of population is to take place if found necessary.
- 7.
- Gdynia is to be confirmed as Polish.
- 8.
- Danzig is to be purely a commercial city and not militarized.
Henderson I understand is greatly encouraged by the knowledge of these proposals; he has telegraphed to London a statement thereof and is urging that immediate steps be taken to persuade the Polish Government to appoint a representative for the purpose of negotiating on those bases. He has also insisted with the Polish Ambassador here to seek an interview with Ribbentrop. As soon as possible in the morning Henderson will ask Ribbentrop for a copy of these proposed bases without revealing the fact that he has been given knowledge thereof.
Repeated nowhere.