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Document · 1936.06.22
Part of Private Archives

Polish Minister K. Papée's letter of 19 June 1936 to A. Greiser, President of the Danzig Senate, on the recent violent events in Danzig (translation in French enclosed); K. Papée to S. Lester on measures undertaken including the banning of demonstrations and public meetings and on A. Forster's position; rumours concerning various people including S. Lester, that would have asked the Council to put in a force of international police; Von Radowitz and S. Lester on Danzig: if the situation became out of control S. Lester would ask the Council to accept his resignation; talks between K. Papée's and S. Lester on the possible action of Poland in defence of her interests; immediate danger in Danzig seemed to have been avoided.

Document · 1935.09.06
Part of Private Archives

On the incident that occurred at a reception given by S. Lester in honour of the commander and officers of the German cruiser "Admiral Scheer", reception that President of the Senate A. Greiser and Nazis left in a demonstrative manner, which was interpreted by local newspapers as a protest against the presence of representatives of the Opposition parties.

Sub-series
Part of Private Archives

On 30 September 1936, the League of Nations Council decided to appoint S. Lester as Deputy Secretary-General, in replacement of Pablo de Azcarate, although his appointment as High Commissioner in Danzig had been prolonged till October, 1937. S. Lester was to take up new responsibilities in February 1938.

S. Lester's departure from Danzig caused consternation among the opponents of the Nazi regime, and satisfaction among the Nazis, who regarded S. Lester as an obstacle to the establishment of a totalitarian State in Danzig, it was mainly a victory for A. Forster, the Nazi district leader and A. Greiser, the President of the Danzig Senate.

S. Lester succeeded P. Azcarate, who resigned the post of Under Secretary-General to become Spanish Ambassador in London.

September 1936, S. Lester appointed League of Nations Under Secretary-General, a position previously held by Ascarati, of Spain. S. Lester's appointment will take effect when his successor in Danzig is announced. By the appointment S. Lester became the second highest official at Geneva and will be in charge whenever Joseph A.C. Avenol, Secretary-General, is absent.

5 October 1936: the Council considered the position of the High Commissioner in Danzig. The Council asked Poland to take up matter on their behalf, i.e. abandon all formal attempt to hold up Danzig Constitution. Poland did not act. Nazi Government liquidated opposition press, abolished opposition Parties, arrested or forced out opposition leaders.

The Council reluctantly decided to maintain pretence (F. Walters) and to appoint a new High Commissioner in February 1937.

S. Lester placed in a special envelope, marked "Secret-Private Diary" his notes and some letters-copies for a crucial period July-December 1936. This envelope was mislaid but found many years later, after the rest of his papers (perhaps in the early eighties). Its contents have now been incorporated in the general collection of S. Lester papers, chronologically.

Document · 1937.07.08
Part of Private Archives

A. Eden on the Danzig Constitution; powers of Danzig government; A. Forster would benefit by Constitutional change; A. Greiser-A. Forster; Komarnicki and Polish information activities; hopes for delay in Constitution changes; moderates and extremists within the Nazi party; international criticism unites Nazi party; A. Forster's attachment to British; invitation to J. Avenol to visit Danzig; evolution of National-Socialist party; careerism of Danzig National-Socialist leaders.