No. 233 :
M. LÉON NÖEL, French Ambassador in Warsaw, M. Georges Bonnet, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Warsaw, August 25, 1939. 3.15 a.m.

(Received at 6 a.m.)

I CALLED on M. Beck yesterday evening, as instructed by your telegram of August 24.

According to what he told me:

(1) The remark attributed by General Sir Edmund Ironside to Marshal Rydz-Smigly was actually made by M. Beck himself; the latter fully confirmed its substance.

(2) Should the Anschluss be proclaimed by the "municipal authorities" of the Free City, the Warsaw Government would immediately get in touch with their allies and would refrain from any military action until actually confronted by direct or indirect aggression on the part of the Reich.

(3) Aware of the necessity of not allowing themselves to be maneuvered by Germany into a false position, the Polish Government, inspired by the same spirit as ourselves, will continue to maintain the greatest composure.

Should Herr Forster proclaim the Anschluss, added M. Beck, this could only be at the instigation of the Chancellor, and action by Germany would probably follow with very little delay.

LÉON NÖEL.