Letter from J. Avenol to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
Letter dated 21 May 1938 from J. Avenol to the Secretary of State of the United States of America.
Impressive demonstration in Danzig on the occasion of the visit of the "Reichsführer der SS" Himmler, and of "SA Gruppenführer" Schoene; talk between S. Lester and K. Papée on the provisions relating to Danzig as a military base; problem of the safety of the Gdynia Polish port; High Commissioner's action possible only on the question of arms; Danzig could not be regarded as an isolated problem.
Incidents affecting the independence of the judiciary in Danzig, changes in procedure for the election of the judges; talk between S. Lester and A. Forster, Gauleiter of the National-Socialist Party in Danzig on the problem of the independence of the judges further to an article in the "Danziger Vorposten" of 9 April 1934 (which was said to be under A. Forster's control or influence); S. Lester to President H. Rauschning on A. Forster's threat towards Danzig judges, further to a case in which judgement was given against the State, what was described as an attempt to undermine the authority of the State, independence of the judiciary was one of the principal provisions of the Danzig Constitution; note of interview with H. Rauschning on A. Forster's attitude regarding the independence of the judges, on the election of the judges, the question of the suspension of the "Danziger Volkszeitung", and negotiations with Poland (questions of customs and contingents).
National Holiday of Danzig changed by decree from 18 March (foundation day of the old city) to 1 May: on this occasion National-Socialist demonstration with speeches by A. Forster and others and A. Hitler's speech retransmitted, no incidents; petition from the ex-Senator Formelle, editor of the "Volkszeitung", Catholic Centre Party weekly paper which was suppressed: the petition dealt not only with the question of suppression but challenged the constitutional validity of the law of 30 June 1933, which related to public order, etc.; question of the appointment of a State Commissioner for Danzig.
Deterioration of the Danzig-Polish relations because of the pressure of the Polish system of control of Danzig exports to Poland, but text of the Treaty placing Danzig in this position; enclosures: talk between S. Lester and A. Forster: Gauleiter A. Forster preoccupied with the economic situation in Danzig and the Polish pressure and control of the Danzig customs, he did not want to take any action without S. Lester's agreement, questions of the contingents, and of the East Prussia frontier and Danzig, article in the Treaty saying Poland and Danzig would form a common customs union; talk between S. Lester and K. Papée, Polish Minister: ditto, number of provocative incidents deteriorating the Danzig-Polish relations.
Questions dealt with by the High Commissioner at Danzig: conflict between the Catholic Youth and Hitler Youth on negotiations for a concordat; deteriorating relations between H. Rauschning and A. Forster; K. Papée's fear as to the growth of semi-military organizations in Danzig; suppression for three months of the Catholic newspaper "Danziger Volkstimme", petition from the editor K. Formell, ex-Senator, to S. Lester; appointment by the Senate of a State Commissioner for the City of Danzig, Eggert, in place of the Municipal Council; deteriorating economic relations between Poland and Danzig: problem of the Polish pressure and control of the Danzig customs; A. Forster's threatening speech towards Poland.
President H. Rauschning and Vice-President A. Greiser emphasized, at the meeting celebrating the first year of office of the National Socialist Government, the fact that the Constitution was a "barrier" to the National Socialist Policy.
The Socialist newspaper in Danzig "Volkstimme" was suppressed on 27 June 1934 by order of the Police President for six months, on the contrary the weekly newspaper "Volkzeitung", that was suppressed has re-appeared; notes entitled "Prohibition of Volkstimme" 29 June 1934, and "Suppression of Volkstimme" 2 and 3 July 1934.
According to S. Lester the suppression of the "Volkstimme" was not justified and he urged immediate release, after 16 days suppression, the newspaper re-appeared on 13 July 1934.