176 Mr R.G. Menzies, Prime Minister, to Mr S.M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London
Cablegram unnumbered 1 September 1939,
Your cablegram regarding German proposals. [1] We all agree that
these are surprisingly reasonable and there is earnest hope that
provided adequate guarantees are forthcoming the Poles will not
adopt impossible attitude. At the same time proper to point out to
you that Ministers here while of above opinion and therefore
anxious that all reasonable pressure should be exercised in the
direction of settlement are apprehensive that any undue pressure
might result in another subsequent story similar to that of
Czechoslovakia. In any conversation you have with Chamberlain [2]
this aspect should be stressed as representing view of Australian
Government. Agree with you that both the German offer and the
continued passage of time when time is so important to Germany are
indications of some insecurity in Hitler's [3] mind and afford
justification for seeing that not all the pressure is on Warsaw
but that substantial amount is exercised in Berlin. Have also
cabled Chamberlain direct. [4] Regards. [5]
MENZIES
1 Document 175.
2 Neville Chamberlain, U.K. Prime Minister.
3 Adolf Hitler, German Chancellor.
4 Document 174.
5 The version of this cablegram received by Bruce (See AA: M100,
September 1939) contained a number of mutilations. It read: 'Your
telegram regarding German proposals. We all agree that these are
surprisingly reasonable and there is earnest hope provided that
adequate guarantees are forthcoming the Poles will not adopt
impossible attitude. (Indication?) proper to point out to you that
Ministers here while of above opinion and therefore anxious all
reasonable (?) should be exercised in direction of settlement are
apprehensive that any undue pressure might result in another
subsequent story similar to that of Czecho-Slovakia. In any
conversation you have with Chamberlain this (?) aspect should be
stressed as representing view of Australian Government. Agree with
you that both uncertainty of offer and (?) of passage of time when
time is so important to Germany are indications of some
insincerity in Hitler's mind and afford justification just before
outnumbered not slow pressure is on Warsaw but that substantial
amount is exercised in Berlin. Have also cabled Chamberlain
direct. Regards'.
[AA: A1608, A41/1/1, iv]
