Extract from the "Danziger Volkstimme" on the political crisis between H. Rauschning, President of the Danzig national-socialist Senate and A. Forster, chief of the national-socialist party of the Free City of Danzig: H. Rauschning's resignation denied.
S. Lester acted as a mediator, the meeting between the two men went off very well.
Reactions in Danzig further to the recent events in Germany, notably the clean-up in the SA: the more radical and intolerant wing was reduced in power and influence, President H. Rauschning strengthened in his position as representative of the more reasonable National Socialist policy, President of the Senate H. Rauschning was SA, whereas A. Greiser, Vice-President of the Senate, was SS, Gauleiter A. Forster swung more to the President's side, S. Lester's point of view was that President H. Rauschning was the best and most able member of the Party in power; guarantees requested by S. Lester in the event of a general election: complete secrecy and freedom of voting, freedom for the press, protection for the public and meetings of opposition parties during the campaign, etc.
Three principal antagonists: H. Rauschning on the one side and A. Forster and A. Greiser (vice-president of the Senate) on the other, H. Rauschning's policy obstructed by A. Forster, A. Forster's threat to put H. Rauschning out of office, dismissal of Streiter, chief of the press bureau and politically attached to H. Rauschning; S. Lester refused, for different reasons, to receive the chief of an organization known as "Les délégations juives".
A. Greiser's speech: as the National Socialist Party had the majority the State should be governed in a National Socialist way, appealed for a comradely attitude towards the SS and SA.
Regarding A. Greiser's election on 28 November; the Opposition; H. Rauschning's promise to Jews; A. Forster's and A. Greiser's speeches; Brost and Hirschfeld.
Negotiations with the Catholic Priests and the Zentrum Party made impossible because of A. Greiser's attitude; Catholic and Zentrum Party petitions; suppression of the only daily opposition newspaper; "Heil Hitler" greeting; effect of the Saar plebiscite on Danzig; Senate's refusal to give information about the suppression of the "Volkstimme"; difference between the State and the National Socialist Party; Danzig Constitution; attack on Zentrum Leader; police control on S. Lester's visits; A. Forster dictator of Danzig; possible elections; S. Lester's remarks; Danzig Senate and A. Forster suspected of trickery by S. Lester.
Proclamation on elections; A. Forster's press interview on the elections that were not a plebiscite but to stop the opposition of small Parties and anti-Government activities; Reich Ministers to participate in the elections; possible visit to Danzig of Göring or Göbbels; revised version of A. Forster's interview.
S. Lester's object: to convince A. Greiser and K. Papée that a rapprochement was in the interests of Danzig and Poland; S. Lester's query: will A. Greiser and A. Forster be able to work together much longer?
Owing to the League of Nations Council's meeting at Geneva suppression of the Opposition press in Danzig; Gauleiter A. Forster's speech threatening
the Danzig Opposition and Opposition press; League of Nations' role.