ANXIETY FELT IN U.S.

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

ANXIETY FELT IN U.S.

A Heavy Inflow Of Gold UNUSUAL PRECAUTIONS NOT TAKEN (UNWED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 14, 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 13. The crisis is being watched with intense anxiety. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) said he would not take any unusual precautions unless the gravity increased, but the Navy Department announced that it had prepared to evacuate 100,000 Americans residing in or visiting Europe, of whom 5190 were in Czechoslovakia. The United States legation in Prague is besieged by Americans demanding space in the legation s bombproof shelter. The Treasury is studying extraordinary measures to ease the blow to American economy in the event of Hvar. It is understood that the dollar stabilisation fund, which was established under the British, French, and American tripartite agreement, has been buying sterling, for which the British will pay in gold. As the United States purchases at the daily exchange rate, the fund is protected from loss. The heavy inflow of gold is continuing. The stock at September 10 was , 13,301,899,894 dollars, or 166,432,100 dollars more than at August 31. The exports of munitions have not increased materially. The American League for Peace and Freedom is urging the United States to co-operate with the democracies.

Press comment is generally confined to a condemnation of Herr Hitler. The question of American participation is not raised. The New York “Post” says in a leading article: “When war comes, blame the British Tory Party’s proNazi wing, particularly Mr Chamberlain, whose weak and ambiguous warnings have only succeeded in convincing Herr Hitler that England will not fight. Criminal ambitions and equally criminal indecision have brought Europe again to the brink of catastrophe.” GERMANY’S WAR PLANS ? ALLEGED SCHEME TO FIGHT ON DEFENSIVE (Received September 14, 10 p.m.) LONDON. September 14. Mr G. Ward Price, the special correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” who is in Munich'with Herr Hitler and many foreign officers, sayS that should Germany, in the last resort, deem it necessary to go and rescue the Sudetens from their oppression, the German Army and Air Force might be ordered to remain entirely on the defensive, not carrying the war into French territory. He expressed the opinion that France would soon be weary of carrying out a campaign against Germany’s new western fortifications.

DEPUTATION BY COMMUNISTS SUMMONING OF PARLIAMENT URGED . ’ LONDON. September 13. While the Ministers were conferring, the police cleared crowds from Downing Street and formed a cordon at the entrance to Whitehall as hundreds of Communists marched d'-wn from Trafalgar square, escorting a deputation which desired to ask the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) to summon Parliament next week.

The police allowed the deputation to enter Downing Street, and it was admitted to No. 10, where a secretary explained that the Prime Minister was too occupied to deal with the petition immediately and would r°ply at the earliest opportunity. Later demonstrators attempted to march to the German Embassy, but were prevented by the police.

The United States Ambassador (Mr Joseph Kennedy) called at No. 10 Downing Street during the Ministerial discussions. It is understood that two United States cruisers which are now at Portland, are remaining in British waters for the present.

Communist demonstrators later marched noisily, but without disorder, to Leicester square. They then went to the German Embassy. The police allowed the leaders to approach and ring the bell. The door was opened a few inches and then quickly shut. Further rings were answered by an official to whom the leaders handed a letter.

HOLLAND TO REMAIN NEUTRAL IMMEDIATE ARMED CONFLICT NOT EXPECTED (Received September 14, 8 p.m.) LONDON, September 13. The Hague correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the Government is calm, though fully estimating the seriousness of the position. It does not expect an immediate armed conflict, but in that event Holland would be absolutely neutral.

She has not taken special measures to defend the country, and it is denied that troops have been called un.