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German-Polish agreement to assure "a permanent peace," to resolve any disputes by peaceful means, and to establish "good neighbourly relations"

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Authors

Constantin Neurath, von (Baron; foreign minister)

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Constantin von Neurath

German general and Nazi war criminal (1873-1956)

Image of Constantin Neurath, von
  • Born: 1873-02-02 (Kleinglattbach)
  • Died: 1956-08-14 (Enzweihingen)
  • Country of citizenship: Germany
  • Occupation: diplomat; lawyer; politician
  • Member of political party: Nazi Party
  • Member of: Schutzstaffel
  • Military rank: Obergruppenführer
  • Position held: German Foreign Minister (period: 1932-06-01 through 1938-02-04; replaced by: Joachim von Ribbentrop; replaces: Heinrich Brüning); ambassador

Jozef Lipski (Polish ambassabor (1934-39))

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Jozef Lipski

Polish diplomat (1894-1958)

Image of Jozef Lipski
  • Born: 1894-06-05 (Wrocław)
  • Died: 1958-11-01 (Washington, D.C.)
  • Country of citizenship: Poland
  • Occupation: diplomat; politician
  • Position held: ambassador
  • Educated at: University of Lausanne
  • VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/71519000
  • ISNI: https://isni.org/isni/0000000110700471

Germany (treaties, diplomatic statements, proclamations)

Poland (treaties, agreements, diplomatic statements)

Date: 26 January 1934

Literal Title: German-Polish Declaration, January 26th, 1934.

Defendant: Constantin Neurath, von

Total Pages: 1

Language of Text: English

Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)

Evidence Code: TC-21

Citation: IMT (page 969)

HLSL Item No.: 450747

Notes:This document was presented for judicial notice without an exhibit number. For Hitler's speech on this agreement, see document TC 70. Another copy was presented in Ribbentrop document book 4.

Trial Issues

IMT count 2: crimes against peace (wars of aggression) (IMT) Wars of aggression

Document Summary

Doc Book Tables of Contents

TC-21: Declaration of Non-Aggression between Germany and Poland, 26 January 1934.

GERMAN-POLISH DECLARATION, JANUARY 26th, 1934 [Department of State, Central Translating Division]
Declaration
The German Government and the Polish Government consider that the time has come to introduce a new era in the political relations between Germany and Poland, by a direct understanding between the States. They have therefore' decided to establish by the present declaration a basis for the future shaping of those relations.
The two Governments assume that the maintenance and assurance of a permanent peace between their countries is an essential condition for general peace in Europe. They have therefore decided to base their mutual relations on the principles contained in the Pact of Paris of August 17, 1928, and they wish to define the application of these principles more exactly, in so far as the relations between Germany and Poland are concerned.
At the same time, each of the two Governments declares that the international obligations already undertaken by it toward other parties do not impede the peaceful development of their mutual relations, do not contradict the present declaration, and are not affected by this declaration. They further declare that this declaration does not extend to such questions as under international law are to be considered exclusively as domestic affairs of one of the two States.
The two Governments declare their intention of reaching an agreement directly on questions affecting their mutual relations, of whatever kind they may be. Should any dispute arise between them and should it not be possible to reach an agreement thereon by direct negotiations, in each individual case they will seek a settlement through other peaceful means, on the basis of mutual
368
TC-21
TC-21
agreement, without prejudice to the possibility of applying those methods of procedure, in case of necessity, which are provided for such a case in the other agreements between them that are in force. Under no circumstances, however, will they proceed to use force for the purpose of settling such disputes.
The guarantee of peace created by these principles will make easier for the two Governments the great task of finding for problems of political, economic and; cultural nature solutions based on a just and fair reconciliation of the interests of both parties.
The two Governments are convinced that in this way the relations between their countries will develop fruitfully and will lead to the establishment of good neighbourly relations, which will provide blessings not only for their two countries, but also for the other nations of Europe.
The present declaration is to be ratified and the instruments of ratification exchanged at Warsaw as soon as possible. The declaration shall remain in effect for a period of 10 years, counting from the day of the exchange of instruments of ratification. In case it is not denounced by one of the two Governments 6 months before the expiration of that period of time, it shall continue in effect, but can then be denounced by either Government, at any time, 6 months in advance.
Prepared in two originals in the German and the Polish languages.
Berlin, January 26, 1934. For the German Government: For the Polish Government:
C. Freiherr von Neurath Josef Lipski

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