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Danzig Accedes to Council’s Orders to Revise Unconstitutional Laws

January 26, 1936
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In the face of the League Council’s determination to enforce the Danzig constitution, the Nazi-controlled Senate of the Free City today yielded on all points, agreeing to revise all laws and decrees opposed as unconstitutional by League High Commissioner Sean Lester.

The routing of the Nazi forces was announced to the council by British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, rapporteur on Danzig.

After hearing Capt. Eden’s report, the council adopted a resolution calling on the Danzing Senate ” to take, in general, all measures which are required for order to prevail, in conformity with the spirit of the constitution.”

Prefacing the Council’s resolution, Capt. Eden made it clear that the League cannot be prevented from intervening in Danzig to maintain the constitution.

He clearly indicated that the possibility of sending an investigating commission to Danzig with authority to call on the powers for assistance in enforcing the Council’s decisions had only been postponed and not completely abandoned.

Dr. Arthur Greiser, president of the Danzig Senate and its representative before the Council, appeared downcast as he accepted the resolution. He promised to introduce in the Senate the necessary amendments to fulfill the Council’s orders. He also pledged to heed Capt. Eden’s proposals that the Senate provide the opportunity for speedy appeals to the courts from the administrative orders against the press in Danzig.

The resolution noted with satisfaction that the Senate had agreed to compensate petitioners to the League who had complained of discrimination and to rectify other grievances.

Satisfaction was also expressed over the Senate’s decision to take measures to change decrees adopted last August 29 and to amend the penal code to bring it into conformity with the Hague decision of December 4.

The council expressed confidence in Mr. Lester, asserting that he would be able to rely upon all powers represented in the council in the execution of his work, especially upon Poland.

It was also announced that the Danzig Senate had agreed to modify four other laws according to the wishes of the council. The Senate’s laws had been opposed on the grounds that they pre judices the rights of minorities.

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