Regarding the problems to be handled by S. Lester such as the freedom of the press, the safeguard of the Danzig constitutional rights, etc.
S. Lester appointed High Commissioner for Danzig by the League of Nations Council took up his new post on the 1st of January 1934; Danzig situation: the Free City of Danzig and its surrounding territory were set up as an independent city and state under the Treaty of Versailles for the purpose of giving Poland a port; the role of the League of Nations and of the High Commissioner: the City State was placed under the protection of the League of Nations, which guaranteed her Constitution and to settle any disputes arising owing to the close relationships of Danzig with the Polish Republic, the League of Nations created the office of resident High Commissioner.
Concerned the High-Commissioner's responsibility towards the League of Nations, the Danzig Constitution, the Danzig-Polish dispute, the veto right regarding Danzig treaties, the Free City of Danzig loan, the petitions addressed by Danzig people to the League of Nations, the Poles expelled from the Danzig territory, the appointment of the Danzig Port and waterways Board President, military questions, etc.
On problems to be handled by S. Lester in Danzig such as freedom of the press, constitutional rights to safeguard, etc.
Extract from the "Volkstimme": lunch given in honour of S. Lester by K. Papée, diplomatic Representative of the Republic of Poland in Danzig.
Extract from the "International News Service": S. Lester's biography and daily routine (from a series of stories describing the daily routine of European rulers and the more prominent personalities abroad).
Two press cuttings, the first one on the reception accorded to S. Lester when he took up his duties in Danzig: S. Lester emphasized the fact that Poles, Germans and Danzigers were united in their belief that an Irishman will understand their respective points of view and defend their respective interests; the second one on the Council's position towards the Free City of Danzig: though the Council of the League of Nations had a very grave responsibility towards the Free City of Danzig it could not assume the function of a court of law in regard to it.
Friendly reception in Danzig to welcome S. Lester when he took up his duties of High Commissioner: S. Lester emphasized the fact that Poles, Germans and Danzigers thought that an Irishman would understand their respective points of view and defend their respective interests.
Extract from the "Völkischer Beobachter" on S. Lester's qualifications: "... he will be a good and honourable mediator between the Free-town and the Poles", "... he possesses the best qualifications for the purpose".
Streiter, taken into prison, charged with having disclosed official secrets: the famous five-pointed ultimatum delivered to H. Rauschning, but released because no official evidence; a similar case: Berent, one of the principal officials in the Education Department, was charged with high treason; Lochstadt case: a Minority Pole, whose rights were not respected, was also charged with high treason and released; "Arbeitsdienst" decree: every youth had to give a year's labour service, however it was against the Constitution to send him out of Danzig against his will, but the Danzig economic situation made it difficult to provide work for them all.