It is especially desired that extreme secrecy should be observed
with regard to this telegram.

Following is the reply to Herr Hitler's communication (my most
secret telegram B. 287 [1]) which is being taken by Sir Nevile
Henderson [2] by air to Berlin this evening. The German Government
has been informed that H. Majesty's Ambassador will be ready to
deliver this message at any time after 9 p.m. (Message begins)
1. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have received
the message conveyed to them from the German Chancellor by His
Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin and have considered it with the
care which it demands.

They note the Chancellor's expression of his desire to make
friendship the basis of relations between Germany and the British
Empire and they fully share this desire. They believe, with him,
that if a complete and lasting understanding between the two
countries could be established it would bring untold blessings to
both peoples.

2. The Chancellor's message deals with two groups of questions:

those which are matters now in dispute between Germany and Poland,
and those affecting the ultimate relations of Germany and the
United Kingdom. In connection with these last, His Majesty's
Government observes that the German Chancellor has indicated
certain proposals which, subject to one condition, he would be
prepared to make to the British Government for an understanding.

These proposals are of course stated in very general form and
would require closer definition, but His Majesty's Government are
fully prepared to take them with some additions as subjects for
discussion and they would be ready, if differences between Germany
and Poland are peacefully composed, to proceed so soon as
practicable [to] such discussion with a sincere desire to reach
agreement.

3. The condition which the German Chancellor lays down is that
there must first be a settlement of differences between Germany
and Poland. As to that, His Majesty's Government entirely agree.

Everything however turns upon the nature of the settlement and the
method by which it is to be reached. On these points, the
importance of which cannot be absent from the Chancellor's mind,
his message is silent, and His Majesty's Government feel compelled
to point out that an understanding upon both these is essential to
achieve further progress. The German Government will be aware that
His Majesty's Government have obligations to Poland by which they
are bound and which they intend to honour. They could not, for any
advantage offered to Great Britain, acquiesce in a settlement
which put in jeopardy the independence of a state to whom they
have given their guarantee.

4. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government in the United
Kingdom a reasonable solution of the differences between Germany
and Poland could and should be effected by agreement between the
two countries on lines which would include the safeguarding of
Poland's essential interests, and they recall that in his speech
of 28th April last the German Chancellor recognised the importance
of these interests to Poland.

But as was stated by the Prime Minister in his letter to the
German Chancellor of 22nd August [3] His Majesty's Government
consider it essential for the success of the discussion which
would precede the agreement that it should be understood
beforehand that any settlement arrived at would be guaranteed by
other powers. His Majesty's Government would be ready if desired
to make their contribution to the effective operation of such a
guarantee.

In the view of His Majesty's Government it follows that the next
step should be the initiation of direct discussions between German
and Polish Governments on a basis which would include the
principles stated above, namely the safeguarding of Poland's
essential interests and the securing of settlement by an
international guarantee.

They have already received a definite assurance from the Polish
Government that they are prepared to enter into discussions on
this basis and His Majesty's Government hope that the German
Government would for their part also be willing to agree to this
course.

If, as His Majesty's Government propose, such discussion led to
agreement the way would be open to negotiation of that wider and
more complete understanding between Great Britain and Germany
which both countries deserve [sic].

5. His Majesty's Government agree with the German Chancellor that
one principal danger in the German-Polish situation arises from
reports concerning the treatment of the minorities. The present
state of tension with its concomitant frontier incidents, reports
of maltreatment and inflammatory propaganda is a constant danger
to peace. It is manifestly a matter of the utmost urgency that all
incidents of the kind should be promptly and rigidly suppressed
and that unverified reports should not be allowed to circulate, in
order that time may be afforded, without provocation on either
side, for a full examination of the possibilities of settlement.

His Majesty's Government are confident both Governments concerned
are fully alive to these considerations.

6. His Majesty's Government have said enough to make their own
attitude plain in the particular matters at issue between Germany
and Poland. They trust that the German Chancellor will not think
that, because His Majesty's Government are scrupulous concerning
their obligations to Poland, they are not anxious to use all their
influence to assist the achievement of a solution which may
commend itself both to Germany and to Poland.

That such a settlement should be achieved seems to His Majesty's
Government essential not only for reasons directly arising in
regard to the settlement itself but also [for] wider
considerations of which the German Chancellor has spoken with such
conviction.

7. It is unnecessary in the present reply to stress the advantage
of a peaceful settlement over a decision to revoke the question at
issue by force of arms. The results of a decision to use force
have been clearly set out in the Prime Minister's letter to the
Chancellor of August 22nd and His Majesty's Government do not
doubt that they are as fully recognised by the Chancellor as by
themselves.

On the other hand His Majesty's Government, noting [sic] with
interest the German Chancellor's reference in the message now
under consideration to a limitation of armaments, and believe
that, if a peaceful settlement can be obtained, the assistance of
the world could confidently be anticipated for practical measures
to enable transition from preparation for war to normal activities
of peaceful trade to be safely and smoothly effected.

8. A just settlement of these questions between Germany and Poland
may open the way to world peace. Failure to reach it would ruin
the hopes of better understanding between Germany and Great
Britain, would bring the two countries into conflict, and might
well plunge the whole world into war. Such an outcome would be a
calamity without parallel in history.