860M.01 Memel/560: Telegram (part air)
The Chargé in Germany (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 4—10:02 a.m.]
In continuation of my 705 December 9, 10 a.m.20 and from the same source21 I have ascertained the following developments in the (1) Memel and (2) Danzig-Polish questions since December.
1. The present project respecting Memel entertained by the German Government aims at union of the territory with East Prussia presumably some time this spring. Berlin will approach Kaunas with the following proposal to which it is believed here Lithuania will agree: The cession of the area to Germany in exchange for (a) the establishment of Memel as a free port, (b) a trade agreement favorable to Lithuania, (c) a guarantee by Germany of the territorial integrity of Lithuania. Berlin believes that the political legal adjustments with London and Paris can be made without any ill-feeling. In this connection note my number 732, December 16, 11 a.m.20
In discussing this matter with my informant it was brought out that it constitutes the only exception to the German decision to make no political moves to the east in the indeterminate future as described in Embassy’s despatch No. 550, January 25.22
2. In respect of the Danzig-Polish question it is extremely interesting to observe the results of the recent German-Polish conversations23 in the light of a knowledge of Hitler’s directives for German policy in that area as described in paragraph No. 2 of my 705 already referred to to which attention is particularly invited. It will be recalled that Hitler’s basic policy was therein described as that of long term friendship with Poland. It appears that upon the question of Danzig being raised in the Hitler–Beck conversations Hitler broached Germany’s prepared proposals. Beck in reply stated the terms upon which he would agree to the cession of the free state to Germany. He would accept in compensation an extension of the German-Polish 10-year agreement24 to the total of 25 years but Germany must grant Poland as an additional recompense a guarantee in perpetuity of Poland’s possession of Corridor. The matter was left open at that point in the discussion. It was tacitly understood that the status quo [Page 11] of Danzig would be maintained for the present, the general question of Danzig by the same token remaining open.
In this conversation in which it might be said that the general idea of a German-Polish understanding was mutually accepted (although together with a recognition of the existence of each other’s positions on certain important points) the settlement of the minorities questions between the two states was advanced by oral agreements not to hinder the assimilation of the respective racial groups and to facilitate exchanges of populations wherever feasible.