PEACE GESTURE BY HERR HITLER?

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22505, 13 September 1938, Page 11

PEACE GESTURE BY HERR HITLER?

Reported Dispatch of Message To Mr Chamberlain

DIPLOMATIC CONSULTATIONS IN PARIS

and Rumanian Representatives

Meet M. Bonnet

(UNITES PBESb ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 12, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 12. The “Daily Mirror” says the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) received a message from Herr Hitler, as a result of which he believes that Herr Hitler to-night will make a peace gesture to the world. A later press message states that Herr Hitler’s communication was brought to the Prime Minister by Lord Brocket, a former Conservative member of the House of Commons, who arrived in London to-day by air. Herr Hitler to-day had breakfast with 20 foreign journalists. He appeared very happy, and laughed and joked. He did not refer to the crisis. Afterwards he reviewed 120,000 troops, who goose-stepped past him.

A Paris message states that the French Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet) and the Soviet Foreign Commissar (M. Maxim Litvinov) had several hours’ discussion. The Soviet Ambassadors from London, Paris, and Berlin were present. M. Bonnet saw the British Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) and the Rumanian Foreign Minister (M. PetrescuComnen) in the afternoon.

The British former Foreign Secretary (Mr R, A. Eden), in a letter to “The Times,” says it would be a very grave tragedy if the world were again plunged into a conflict through a misunderstanding of the mind of the British people. “We are often told,” he said, “that the war in 1914 would never have broken out had Britain’s attitude been clearly understood in time.”

POLICE INJURED BY SUDETENS REPORTED INCIDENTS IN , CZECHOSLOVAKIA GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO --..PRESERVE ORDER 0 ■ , (Received September 13, 1 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 12. A number of incidents are reported 'in various parts of Czechoslovakia. Seven Czechs and six police were injured at Carlsbad when a crowd of Sudeten Germans attacked the police station. ' Demonstrations occurred at Mugletz, Winterburg, and Eger, and one Sudeten was injured in a brawl at Frauenhof.

In consequence of the Sudeten leaders at Reichenberg spreading the news that Herr Henlein was arriving that evening, 3000 Germans assembled in the market place. After some time a car arrived, for which the police tried to clear a passage. The Germans, believing that the driver was Herr Henlein, attacked the police with stones and knives.

Eight policemen were severely injured and had to be taken to hospital. Three others were slightly injured. A semi-official statement issued in Prague declares that it is regrettable that the Sudeten Germans, who had maintained such remarkable discipline recently, have now become highly excited. The answer from the Czech side can only be the preservation of the greatest discipline and order. Mr G. Ward Price, in a message to the “Daily Mail” from Nuremberg, says that Herr Hitler will not say or do anything likely to taring on the risk of war, but he will insist on a settlement before the winter. Sudeten leaders say the reorganisation of Czech foreign relations, for instance, an alliance with the Soviet, will be an essential feature of any settlement.

ITALIAN WHEAT STOCKS PREPARATION MADE FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES (Received September 12. 11 p.m.) ROME, September 12. Signor Mussolini, presiding at a of the Italian Grain Commift!([2e»stated that the present 10 per cent, admixture of maize in bread would not be varied, because it was prudent to lay up stores of Wheat for all eventualities. CHURCH SERVICES IN SYDNEY SYDNEY. September 12. The special church services held in response to the suggestion by the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) that all denominations should unite in prayers for peace anf for Divine guidance in national affairs attracted very large congregations. A feature was the number of young People present.

GERMANS AVERSE TO WAR ? * f LATENT DISAFFECTION ALLEGED STRUGGLE WITH BRITAIN SAID TO BE UNLIKELY LONDON, September 11. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that there is not the slightest doubt that a war would be most unpopular. There would be literally millions in a mood of latent disaffection from the outset. The man in the street in Germany does not desire war, and is not even hostile to the Czechs. Germans, apart from the younger Nazis, have not 100 per cent, confidence in their leaders.

The Nuremberg correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that Nazi officials refuse to envisage the possibility of war against Britain. They point out that Herr Hitler has always known the distance to go without bringing on war. The Rome correspondent of the “D'aily Telegraph” states that Italy apparently shares the British and French anxiety, though official sympathies are with Germany and Herr Henlein’s demands. •The “Osservatore Romano” states that the situation, in spite of the negative elements, encourages optimism that British diplomacy has cleared the air and served the cause of peace. Herr Wollner, a Sudeten German, was introduced at Prague to Lord Runciman, who surprisingly addressed a cheering crowd of Sudeten German outside the castle where he is spending the week-end. Herr Woilner said; “You are the liberator of millions from persecution. We no longer have confidence in the promises of the Czechs.’ The crowd shouted; “Lord Runciman. Save us from the Czech plebiscite.” , , , . Lord Runciman declared that he was trying to bridge the gap between two peoples in a way to assure peace and satisfaction to all.

WAR FEVER IN NUREMBERG .MORE TRUCULENT ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS • NUREMBERG. September 11. The feverish temperature of the party congress has been raised bv Field-Marshal Goring’s speech and a more truculent attitude to foreigners by the Nazi rank and file is noticeable with the increasing tension. Two foreign correspondents were assaulted by Storm Troopers for not giving the Nazi salute during the broadcast of the national anthem, but it should be emphasised that Nuremberg is the only town in Germany where there is a war psychosis.