Polish Diplomacy The critical nature of the European situation is
reflected in the intense diplomatic activity centring on Warsaw at the present time ; whatever the issue of the crisis Poland will have a decisive role to play. This week the Polish Prime Minister, General Skladkowsky, returned from a hurried visit to Paris ; Herr Himmier returned to Berlin from a visit to Poland; and a trade agreement was con- cluded between Poland and the Soviet Union which will raise their trade turnover from £200,000 to £6,000,000. On Saturday, Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister, is expected in Warsaw ; on March 4th M. Gafencu, the Rumanian Foreign Minister ; and a visit from the Hun- garian Foreign Minister, Count Csaky, is being discussed. In the course of next month the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, is expected to visit London. The cause of so much activity is the complicated part Poland has to play ; to maintain friendship with Germany while resisting a drive to the east ; to maintain friendship with the Soviet Union while resisting a Communist attack on Germany ; to find support in Paris and the Balkans without offending the Rome-Berlin Axis. Colonel Beck's agility is equal to the complications of the situation ; yet it is doubtful whether, in the last resort, the highest degree of agility is worth as much as a reputation for loyalty and dependability.
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