Staff Talks in Warsaw General Sir Edmund Ironside, the Inspector-General
of the Overseas Forces, arrived in Warsaw on Monday on a four-day visit, during which he discussed with Poland's military and political leaders measures to co-ordinate her strategic plans with those of her allies in Western Europe. His visit has served two purposes: firstly, to take practical steps to ensure that Poland should be prepared for the emergency with which she may soon be faced and which may temporarily isolate her from the West ; and secondly to demonstrate to her enemies that Great Britain is fully committed to come to Poland's assistance with all her resources. But the possibility of assisting Poland to defend herself successfully depends as much on economic as on military factors ; for that reason it is regrettable that there has been delay in reaching agreement on the financial credits to be granted her. The amount indeed has been fixed, but not the method in which it is to be spent, as Poland is anxious that she may use it in the markets most easily accessible to her, as well as in Great Britain. Given Great Britain's own need for the armaments she produces it appears to be a positive advantage if Poland can secure other sources of supply. Haggling at this juncture would have the worst possible effect.
