GREAT ACTIVITY AT PRAGUE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22508, 16 September 1938, Page 11

GREAT ACTIVITY AT PRAGUE

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

TO AVOID WAR

SUDETENS BEGIN FLIGHT

FROM CAPITAL

(USTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION-—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 15, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 14. The Prague correspondent of “The Times” says that there has been strenuous diplomatic activity at Prague all day. The British and French legations are doing their utmost to avert an explosion.

The idea of a plebiscite is rejected not only by the Czechs, but by foreign diplomats. The Government considers it would mean complete submission ,to the mailed fist. Diplomatic opinion is that the rioting was not expected, even by Hitler. This belief is supported by the fact that disorders have not occurred in the northern districts where stores of German arms are chiefly concealed. The worst sign at present is the flight of population. Sudetens are leaving Prague, while Czechs and left-wing Germans are fleeing from the Sudeten areas where, they declare, Nazi officials have already arrived from Munich.

The Runciman mission has issued a communique stating that Herr Henlein communicated to the mission that Sudeten negotiations with the delegation had been dissolved because, as a result of the course of events in the last 48 hours, the conditions for continuing the negotiations on the basis of the original mandate no longer existed. The Sudeten leaders at Asch, the party headquarters, issued a communique demanding the right of self-determination.

The correspondent of the British United Press at Eger states that Herr Kundt said: “It seems to us that the only solution is for England and France immediately to draw up a reasonable ’ plan of collaboration with Herr Hitler and compel Dr. Benes to accept.” Mr G. Ashton Watkin, secretary to Lord Runciman, could not meet Herr Henlein, who is touring, calling on the families of the killed Sudetens. Dr. Franck informed Mr Ashton Watkin that the negotiations could be resumed as soon as the points in the ultimatum were conceded.

TENSION SLIGHTLY

RELAXED

OPINION EXPRESSED IN BERLIN

REPORTED GERMAN ASSURANCE TO BELGIUM

LONDON, September 14:

The German Ambassador to Brussels has' reported that Herr Hitler is conferring with his military and political chiefs at Berchtesgaden. The Fascist deputy, M. Wayns, reported to King Leopold that he was assured by Herr von Ribbentrop at Nuremberg that Germany would respect Belgian neutrality in the event of war.

The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that quarters close to Herr Hitler declare that the tension has slightly relaxed. It is stated that no special significance attaches to the conference between Herr Hitler and his Army chiefs as po far-reaching decisions were discussed.

The Nazi Minister for Propaganda (Dr. Goebbels) has told the Berlin newspaper editors to hold themselves in readiness lest there be quick decision within the next few days. . The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that the Reich is most concerned over the fierceness of yesterday’s outbreak as contained in Herr Henlein’s ultimatum.

There is good reason to believe that it was made without Herr Hitler’s knowledge or approval. The demands contained in it have no ultimative force.

As far as Germany is concerned, the Reich regards the crisis as still in the diplomatic stage. Lord Runciman still enjoys high prestige in the eyes of the Fuhrer who does not regard his mission as ended.

Herr Kundt will see Lord Runciman this evening when they will have private conversations.

A desire to avoid hostilities has been expressed, not only among the general public, but in official circles. There is no doublr that armed intervention would be most unpopular with large masses of the general public, despite the sympathy with the Sudetens, whose alleged sufferings have been exaggerated out of all recognition by the newspapers, w;hich speak of Czechs “hurling themselves in blind rage and hate against the Germans” and add that it is impossible that Czechs and Germans can henceforth live together in the same State. The newspapers demand a plebiscite.

AMERICANS ANXIOUS

TO LEAVE

MANY INQUIRIES FOR TRANSIT

ACROSS ATLANTIC

LONDON, September 14,

The American Embassy is inundated with inquiries from citizens regarding the prospects of the speediest transit across the Atlantic. Aeroplanes from England to Germany hourly are loaded with freight and mails, but not a single passenger.

WAR RISK SCHEDULE WITHDRAWN

LONDON, September 14,

Lloyd’s War Risk Committee has withdrawn its schedule of rates pending the meeting of insurance companies to be held to-morrow, because of the confusion of differing quotations.