The Press SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1938. Results of the Berchtesgaden Visit

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 16

The Press SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1938. Results of the Berchtesgaden Visit

Mr Neville Chamberlain's discussion with" Herr Hitler has come to an end; and the official communiques contain nothing which justifies either hope or despair. It is clear, however, that the Berchtesgaden visit has changed the whole character of the crisis and changed it for the better. Hitherto there seems to have been very little direct discussion of the Czech problem and possible solutions by the governments of the Great Powers; the policy of the German Government has been expressed indirectly through Herr Henlein and his party, while the desire of the British and French Governments for a peaceful and compromise solution has been expressed even more indirectly through the Runciman mission. What direct communication there has been between governments has apparently taken the form of a long-range exchange of generalities. • Unless the most recent newspaper speculation is entirely misleading, one result of Mr Chamberlain's meeting with Herr Hitler has been to produce a general tendency for the governments concerned to draw together in a direct discussion of the Czech problem and its wider implications. Mr Chamberlain is now returning to London to consult with his Cabinet; during the week-end M. Daladier and M. Bonnet will also be in London; Lord Runciman has been • asked to return from Prague to report on the situation in Czechoslovakia; Mr Chamberlain will see Herr Hitler again "in a few "days"; and there are rumours that this will be followed by a general conference of representatives of the British, French, German, and Italian Governments. If it is accepted that the urgent need of the moment is to avert war at any cost, then these developments are entirely encouraging. Given time, the four Powers should be able to avert a war which can profit none of them, even though it is not likely that the compromise they reach will be a permanent solution of any of the problems which have led to the present crisis. Whether they will be given time remains doubtful. The situation in Czechoslovakia continues to deteriorate , with such terrifying rapidity that every hour lessens the possibility of maintaining peace.