Bidspirit auction | The British White Paper of

The British White Paper of 1939 – The Final Negotiation Between Britain and Nazi Germany Before the Outbreak of World War II - Correspondence Between H.M. Government in the United Kingdom and the German Government – August 1939 – Official publication of the British Government, printed by His Majesty’s Stationery Office in London, also known as The British White Paper of 1939. Issued by the British Government on September 1, 1939 – the very day Germany invaded Poland. This is one of the most important documents for understanding the final hours of European diplomacy before the outbreak of World War II. ”If that should occur, we are resolved and prepared to put into operation without delay all the forces at our command, and once hostilities begin, no one can foresee the end...” (from a letter sent by the British Government to the German Government on August 22, 1939). Official publication containing the correspondence between the British Government and Nazi Germany in the weeks leading up to the outbreak of World War II, with a focus on August 1939 – a period of heightened tension during which Britain attempted to deter Hitler from invading Poland, while Germany responded with various diplomatic proposals, often vague or biased. These exchanges, published here for the first time, highlight the Western democracies’ attempts at de-escalation in the face of unilateral steps taken by Nazi Germany. The booklet includes transcripts of telegrams, letters, and diplomatic memoranda exchanged between London and Berlin in real time. It also features a declaration by Neville Chamberlain (British Prime Minister), aiming to demonstrate Britain’s efforts to avoid war, while Germany advanced an aggressive course of action. At the time, Germany demanded territorial concessions from Poland, particularly concerning the Danzig Corridor, claiming injustices done to ethnic Germans in the region. Among the documents is Adolf Hitler’s reply to Neville Chamberlain, in which he writes: ”The German Reich, like every other country, has certain definite interests which cannot be surrendered... Germany, if attacked by England, will be ready and determined. I have already declared more than once before the German people and the world that there can be no doubt about the determination of the new German Reich to endure, for as long as may be necessary, every kind of suffering and hardship rather than to sacrifice its national interests – let alone its honor...”. In response, Britain warned that it was committed to defending Poland. Neville Chamberlain clearly states in his letters that any violation of Polish sovereignty would trigger a military response. Germany then proposed the immediate opening of negotiations with Poland, but demanded that Polish representatives arrive in Berlin within hours, without first stating the terms of discussion. Britain regarded this as nothing more than a propaganda ploy, not a sincere proposal. The letters reveal Britain’s complete mistrust of Germany’s intentions, and conversely, Germany’s intention to initiate war. Britain repeatedly warned that any attack would result in a declaration of war, the outcome of which could not be foreseen. The White Paper was published at this critical moment to present Britain’s peace efforts (and to refute German claims that the war was forced upon them), to demonstrate that Germany deliberately initiated the war, and to serve as a political justification for the British public and the Allies. It stands as one of the key official documents marking the end of the era of appeasement. 20 pages. Very good condition.