NEXT MOVE IN CRISIS AWAITED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 11

NEXT MOVE IN CRISIS AWAITED

ULTIMATUM BY SUDETENS

NEARER

CZECH GOVERNMENT REJECTS TERMS HERR HENLEIN DEMANDS “YES” OR “NO” (united press association — copyright.) (Received September 15, 1 a.m.) LONDON, September 14. Nazi headquarters in Berlin state that a Sudeten delegation will go to Prague this morning to demand “yes” or “no” from the President (Dr. Benes) to the straight question: “Will you give us the right of selfdetermination or not?” A Sudeten communique issued yesterday stated: “Herr Henlein’s eight points no longer provide the basis for negotiations. The situation has gone too far. and the Sudetens will be satisfied with nothing less than a plebiscite.” A later communique states: “The Government had pledged itself to discussion with the Sudeten leaders before important steps were taken. Although the Sudeten leaders were in Prague in the morning they were not consulted about the enforcement of martial Taw.” • Representatives' of Herr Henleiri and Herr Franck addressed the following demand to the Czech Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza): — , “It is established that a large number of Sudetens have been killed and wounded by State organisations or Czech frontiersmen. . Therefore the Sudetens are unable to negotiate freely and unrestrictedly with the Government unless: “(1) The martial law proclamation, is withdrawn immediately. “(2) The State police are withdrawn from districts with a majority of German population, in which the municipal officials will be responsible to maintain order. “(3) The gendarmerie and other special Government services must be reduced to their normal numbers and confined to their-normal duties. "(4) All military formations must be confined to barracks and - kept removed from the civilian population.” I ; The statement adds: “If these I" 1 ' demands are not accepted .within six hours, the Sudeten leaders will decline responsibility for future developments.” Sudetens Invited to Prague The Coun.cil of Ministers concluded at 11.15 p.m. It wa; officially stated that the Ministers took no decisions, and that the situation seemed a little easier. Reuters Prague correspondent *ays Dr. Hodza’s reply to the ultimatum was hot published, but he invited the Sudeten deputy, Dr. Franck, to Prague to discuss the situation, and pointed out that it might be possible to reach an agreement leading to pacification. Dr. Franck replied that Herr Kundt would go to Prague. The French Foreign Minister (M. Bonnet) has been advised that the Czechs rejected the ultimatum, but • offered To discuss the Sudeten demands provided the Sudetens issue i -?■ proclamation exhorting their fol- - lowers to obey the law. I Dr Hodza later had & conference With the British Minister (Mr Basil 1 Newton) and the French" Minister !(M. de la Croix). . ' The Prague correspondent of the British United Press learns officially feat the Czechs decided to ignore fct .ultimatum. A spokesman de4wd that it was impossible for- tae j

Government to - consider an ultimatum from a political party. Leading army officials reported to Dr. Benes throughout the night. Lord Runciman has gone to Asch for a conference with the Henleinist leaders. . , , _ The Australian Associated Press states that it is learned authoritatively that the Czech Government intends to mobilise immediately if Herr Hitler demands a plebiscite. The Czech Ambassador (M. Masaryk) has informed Sir Robert Vt nsittart that if England and France insisted on conceding _ the plebiscite demand the Czech Government would resign. Mr G. Ward Price says: I am told that the Sudeten leaders ultimatum represents their own .decision. Herr Henlein retains control of the relations between the Sudeten Party and the Czechs. According to a message from Rome, an official statement published in the “Diplomatic Information, which is understood to have- been written by Signor Mussolini himself, declares: “The path of justice and peace is to give the Sudetens An 'opportunity of secession. Refusal mean* war and disorder.

Only Brief Breathing Space Predicted in Berlin

SUDETEN DELEGATION TO VISIT PRAGUE

German Democrats Issue Manifesto In Favour of Peace

(TTKITZD PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 15, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 14. Nothing had emerged at 9 a.m. to answer the question on all lips, “What next?” beyond a report in official circles in Berlin that a Sudeten delegation will go to Prague to see the President, Dr. Benes, this morning. It is suggested that the breathing space will be brief since it is not expected that the Czechs will grant self-determina-tion, and the Sudetens will not retreat frpm their position. The German press mostly predicts disorders throughout the Sudeten areas. The death-roll in yesterday’s disturbances was 17, of whom 12 were Czechs.

The Czech official spokesman stated early this morning that the Government intends to maintain its special measures until calm is assured. Trains are arriving from , the Sudeten areas filled with women and children fleeing from the war menace. Every hotel is filled to overflowing.

The Sudeten Germap Democratic Party issued a manifesto in favour of peace, stating that national equality of status and far-reaching self-government can be achieved without war. “On the other hand,” it states, “there is a deadly danger of our people being misused as the tool for the imperialistic claims of a hegemony. The Sudeten Germans will be the first victims when the nations rise against Germany, and their homes will be destroyed in the clash of world Powers.”

DANGER OF WAR

Reported Feeling In Paris RUMANIAN CORRIDOR FOR SOVIET TROOPS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received September LONDON, September 14. Reuters Paris correspondent reports that the general feeling is that the danger of war is nearer than at any time since 1914. It is rumoured in the lobbies at Geneva that after a discussion between the Russian and Rumanian delegates, Rumania agreed to a corridor of five miles through which Soviet troops could march to help the Czechs if they are attacked. This is denied by the Rumanian legation in London. It is understood that the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) had a long telephone talk with the French Premier (M. Daladier) about midnight, when arrangements were made for comprehensive British and French General Staff talks without delay. These will coincide, according to the “Daily Mail,” with definite steps for the\ ftill mobilisation of the Fleet.

The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says the French Cabinet considered immediate mobilisation, but it was decided, at present, to do nothing which could be interpreted as ah excuse for accusing France of provocation. The British. Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps) hurriedly left a performance at the opera last night to go to the War Ministry, where he conferred with M. Daladier and the secretary-general of the French Foreign Office. Public meetings dealing with the international situation have been banned. Thousands more reservists have departed for the frontier, apparently replacing the troops occupying the Maginot Line. The French Cabinet ratified military and economic measures to be taken in the event of war. M. Daladier has forbidden the export of certain primary products. The Customs at Lille has stopped exports of wool, metals, silks, cotton, and other raw materials.