Developments today [2] very rapid, and extremely difficult to
estimate their significance and effects.

During the day information conveyed to you in Dominions Office
cables came in from Warsaw as to the difficult attitude of Poland
and from Berlin with regard to new German proposals which were to
be regarded as most secret. [3] Instructions to Ambassador in
Warsaw [4] were being drafted this evening to urge Colonel Beck
[5] to instruct the Polish Ambassador in Berlin [6] immediately to
inform Ribbentrop that Poland agreed to direct negotiations and to
add that he was authorised to discuss where discussions should
take place (Berlin or elsewhere), by whom negotiations should be
conducted, plenipotentiaries with full power and on what
conditions, indicating that the Poles were prepared to agree to
the standstill arrangement and modus vivendi re Danzig; also to
instruct the Polish Ambassador to say, if Ribbentrop presented any
proposals, that while he was not authorised to negotiate he would
convey to his Government any proposals the Germans desired
considered in the contemplated discussions. In the event of any
ultimatum being associated with the proposals he should refuse to
receive them.

Just when this line was agreed on news was received that the
Germans had given their new proposals in a broadcast.

This considerably modified the position, but instructions to
Ambassador in Warsaw will probably be adhered to, but with the
addition that the terms published would be considered in
negotiations.

Until the reactions to Germany's proposals in Poland, this
country, France and throughout the world are known, it is
difficult to estimate how the position will develop. Proposals are
regarded as being surprisingly reasonable, and felt to be further
evidence that Hitler realises the dangers of the position he has
got into and is seeking a way out.

BRUCE