OPINIONS IN EUROPE

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

OPINIONS IN EUROPE

INTEREST IN LEAGUE SUBMERGED INTRIGUE AND SUSPICION AT GENEVA WAR THE ONLY TOPIC IN PALACE OF PEACE (UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 14, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 14. The Geneva correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says the European situation has completely submerged interest in the business of the League of Nations. The atmosphere of Geneva grows more electrical almost hourly. Several delegations were advised to-night by their governments that war is hourly a possibility, in which case the League will adjourn immediately, and the delegations will return home without delay. Thus the vast League building has become a place of intrigue and suspicion. War is the only topic of discussion in the corridors of the Palace of Peace. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says the withdrawal of the Carlsbad demands is regarded by France as ominous in the extreme. The Berlin representative of the “Daily Telegraph” says the German Government spokesman stated that the crisis was still one directly affecting only the Sudetens and the Czechs. The correspondent adds that the utmost nervousness prevails in business circles. Humours of partial mobilisation are categorically denied. It is stated that the manoeuvres are still being carried The Berlin press acclaims Herr Hitler’s speech, which, however, wakens no enthusiasm among the populace, apart from the Nuremberg party zealots. The Geneva representative of “The Times” says the Swiss Government is of the opinion that the situation has not deteriorated. It considers peace may be preserved. The existing precautions are regarded as sufficient.

The Rumanian press considers Herr Hitler’s speech has provided temporary relief, byt is full of future danger.

Hungary considers the situation most serious. The newspapers declare that everything must be done at the last minute to avoid war. A Sofia message states that though neutrality is expressed by Bulgarian official circles, men between 20 and 50 years have been ordered by the military authorities to register for the army manoeuvres, which will end on September 18.

MINISTERS MEET IN LONDON

THREE SERVICE CHIEFS ATTEND EMERGENCY MEASURES SAID TO BE DISCUSSED LONDON, September 13. It is unofficially stated that the British Ministers and staff chiefs discussed emergency measures with the object of putting them into operation if a crisis develops. The Dominions are being kept informed from hour to hour.

The Chief of the General Staff (General Lord Gort), the Chief of the Naval Staff (Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse), and the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Marshal Sir Cyril Newell) arrived from Nuremberg and, together with the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip), the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), the Secretary of State for War (Mr L. HoreBelisha), and the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. Duff Cooper) held a conference with the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) and other Ministers. According to the Australian Associated Press, it is stated in authoritative quarters that nobody can say how and when vital decisions may be forced on the Governments. It is worth making quite clear that, however anxious Britain is to see a settlement of the crisis, it is impossible to suppose that she would be able to stand aside from a general conflict involving the' integrity of France. Authoritative quarters add that Herr Hitler’s speech has not banged the door finally on a settlement. On th - ' other hand, it does not solve the problem; it does not contain concrete suggestions for a solution and it does not remove the menace that is causing world-wide anxiety, the immediate result being a series of grave incidents in Czechoslovakia, of which the full result has not yet been seen. The speech fails to appreciate Britain’s attitude or that Britain realises the urgency of the problem. Cabinet will meet to-morrow morning. Mr Chamberlain has informed the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) that it is at present inopportune to summon Parliament, but he would bear Mr Attlee’s request in mind should the circumstances necessitate it. HITLER CONFERS WITH RIBBENTROP (Received September 14, 11 p.m.) MUNICH, September 14. Herr Hitler conferred last night with Herr yon Ribbentrop, Foreign Minister.