Polish Foreign Minister Beck a German agent

[Bojns]

Could it be possible that there in 1938 existed some area of German-Polish cooperation, which resulted in Göing (as a representative of Germany) presenting Beck (as a representative of Poland) with a symbolic cheque for 300 000 Reichsmark? I am thinking wildlife conservation, a humanitarian issue or something of that nature.

[wm]

As far as I know they only met briefly two times and they never were alone. It seems the president was in charge or at least willing to do the cooperation...

[wm]

I've found a third meeting. On July 1935 Göring received Polish, Hungarian and Nazi leaders at Carinhall. Below Göring, Beck and their wives, viewing a bison enclosure:

[Bojns]

Have any Polish newspapers from this period been digitized? I would assume that at least the major ones reported quite extensively about Goring's visit.

[Bojns]

It looks like there are some available through Wielkopolska Biblioteka Cyfrowa, for example the "Dziennik Poznanski"

Dziennik.jpg

[Jack Carter]

Don't worry, wm. A Polish source is no less reliable than anyone else. About our friend Beck. It is a fact that he discussed a joint German-Polish action against Soviet Ukraine in January 1939. So I would say at least no smoke without fire.

[Bojns]

Don't worry, wm. A Polish source is no less reliable than anyone else. About our friend Beck. It is a fact that he discussed a joint German-Polish action against Soviet Ukraine in January 1939. So I would say at least no smoke without fire.

I don't quite understand how this proves that the statement made by Gerstenberg was correct. There were in the 1930's all sorts of discussions between various countries (not to mention the shifting alliances during WWII). What does that say about those involved?

Another Polish newspaper with the same information, although of better quality. Looks like Beck did not take part in the Göring hunting trip of 1938.

Czas.jpg

[wm]

Have any Polish newspapers from this period been digitized? I would assume that at least the major ones reported quite extensively about Göring's visit.

not extensively, it seems no one was interested. They say Göring had meetings with Prime Minister Składkowski, Marshal Śmigły-Rydz, had breakfast with Moltke, Beck hosted formal dinner with Göring as guest of honor and later that day Göring and the President left Warsaw for the the Białowieża forest.
Examples below:

[Bojns]

So I guess it's reasonable to conclude that Gerstenberg's statement was incorrect, at least as far as time and place was concerned. Which shows why it's always best to check if everything adds up before drawing radical conclusions.

[wm]

About our friend Beck. It is a fact that he discussed a joint German-Polish action against Soviet Ukraine in January 1939.

with Ribbentrop and later with Hitler, it was a German initiative and Beck refused on the spot...

[wm]

So I guess it's reasonable to conclude that Gerstenberg's statement was incorrect, at least as far as time and place was concerned. Which shows why it's always best to check if everything adds up before drawing radical conclusions.

but we can improve its correctness a little by substituting a car for the cheque and Mościcki for Beck

[Jack Carter]

I don't quite understand how this proves that the statement made by Gerstenberg was correct. There were in the 1930's all sorts of discussions between various countries (not to mention the shifting alliances during WWII). What does that say about those involved?

It does not prove Gerstenberg correct. But it is a circumstantial evidence that can give credibility to Gerstenberg's testimony.

[Jack Carter]

with Ribbentrop and later with Hitler, it was a German initiative and Beck refused on the spot...

Not according to Ribbentrop.

[Bojns]

I don't quite understand how this proves that the statement made by Gerstenberg was correct. There were in the 1930's all sorts of discussions between various countries (not to mention the shifting alliances during WWII). What does that say about those involved?

It does not prove Gerstenberg correct. But it is a circumstantial evidence that can give credibility to Gerstenberg's testimony.

"Circumstantial evidence" in what way? Which nation didn't discuss various proposals with the Germans during the 1930's?

As far as Gerstenberg is concerned: He claimed that Beck had received a cheque for 300 000 Reichsmark from Göring during a hunt in Poland in 1938. It is now obvious that Beck did not even participate. I would think that this should lead to doubts about the value of Gerstenberg's testimony.

[Jack Carter]

Which nation didn't discuss various proposals with the Germans during the 1930's?

I doubt that you can find so many nations that discussed a joint attack with the Nazis on the USSR.