MR CHAMBERLAIN RETURNS FROM BERCHTESGADEN

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

MR CHAMBERLAIN RETURNS FROM BERCHTESGADEN

MR CHAMBERLAIN WELCOMED

"Open Exchange of Opinion" With Herr Hitler .»

SUGGESTED FOUR-POWER CONFERENCE

AT* COLOGNE

Immense Optimism Reported in German

Official Circles

(nrrmß pbbm *»«ociatio»—coptrioht.) (Received September 17, 12.10 a.m.)

LONDON, September 16.

The focal point of the European crisis has switched from Berchtesgaden to London, where Mr Chamberlain will arrive by air this afternoon. A Cabinet meeting will be held immediately.

The official announcement made from Berchtesgaden last night read: "The Fuhrer conferred with Mr Chamberlain at Obersalzberg. An extensive and open exchange of opinion on the present situation took place. Mr Chamberlain will return to England on Friday in order to confer with the British Cabinet. A new conference will be held in a few days."

It is believed that to-day will discuss with his Ministers a plan for a Four-Power conference—Britain, France, Italy, and Germany—to discuss the Czech issue and European appeasement. The newspapers allude to this possibility and say it is likely to be held near Cologne for general convenience. Godesberg, 20 miles south of Cologne, has been suggested as the venue of the next meeting between HenHitler and Mr Chamberlain.

The Berchtesgaden correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says the talks in no way ease the failure of either side to discern the probability of a common ground for agreed future action. On the contrary the Germans are entirely satisfied with the conversations. It is understood Herr Hitler reaffirmed his determination tostandbytheSudetens. Mr Chamberlain emphasised - Britain's desire for an equitable and peaceful settlec ■■- : ..* #M :/1 - ■ '■■;. --■

The correspondent of the "News-Chronicle" at Berchtesgaden says the optimism of the German officials is immense;

Mr Chamberlain's return to London is interpreted in political Quarters in Berlin as proof that he has realised the seriousness of the situation and that every minute's delay spells the utmost danger. An official spokesman said: "When two such men as Mr Chamberlain and Heir Hitler discuss matters for several hours, they certainly get down to brass tacks. If Mr Chamberlam had stayed longer he would have given the impression of procrastination. The issue involves human lives, and nobody knows what the next hour will bring."

Lord Runciman left Prague for London at Mr Chamberlain's request for a consultation on the Berchtesgaden conversations Meanwhile Lord Runciman has appealed to all parties to refrate from any action which might aggravate the station pending further consultations between Herr Hitler, and Mr Chamberlain.

TALK " fiWITH HITLER 1 '■■'

Fuhrer, does not.' it is' assumed that Herr Hitter will not concede an inch, though he may agree to a slight slowing down of.his relentless advance. '-- " . • .. Herr Henlein's "Home to the Reich" proclamation is regarded as strengthening Herr Hitler's hand. The Nazis state that even a plebiscite is now out of date. „__ The Berlin correspondent of The Times" similarly points out that the Germans see only one solution, since Herr Henlein's. proclamation, namely; the Sudetens must return to the Reich. ...''•■ . , . . ; Anti-Czech feeling has hardened in the last 24 hours because the killing of Germans within 150 miles of Berlin., . £ , ■ . , Mr G. Ward Price, the special correspondent of the "Daily Mail at Berchtesgaden, says: I arn_awe reliably to state that Herr Hitler made a statement fully and emphatically along lines of , his Nuremberg speech. ;He communicated to Mr' Chamberlain some new facts and impressed upon him the necessity fpr a radical solution at the earliest possible time. . "Herr Hitler also • indicated the lines of a possible settlement. In the meantime. I understand, the Reich is sending a strongly-worded Note to Prague, threatening to arrest a number of Czechs in Germany and hold them as hostages against incidents."

HR CHAMBERLAIN AT \ BERCHTESGADEN

ANTI-CZECH FEELING IN

BERLIN

(Received September 16, 11 a.m.)

BERLIN, September 15.

- Mr' Chamberlain told journalists: "1-had a very friendly talk with Herr Hitler. We are meeting again come time later." i ~; The British Ambassador to Ger-1 JB'any (Sir Nevile Henderson) added:, TThe next conference will probably , abt.be held at fierchtesgaden." , ,' A message from i :«ated that Mr Chamberlain looked Very tired on his return to his" hotel. He seemed to greet the crowd in a preoccupied manner. He retired im-1 : mediately to his apartments. Optimism' has given way to pessimism, j but the communique has slightly in-1 creased hope. I i,' The Berlin correspondent of the TDaily Telegraph" states that Mr jJChamberlain's visit to Berchtesgaden 'kii enormously increased. British !srestige. Conversations with persons alt walks of life show that Bny.W» is popularly regarded as the 4Siviour of Europe from immediate Pr, which the man in the street watched approaching with horsnpr and dismay. fi J T|ie Nazis; however, believe that another bloodless victory llNr'the democracies, since - Herr IfKUer never yields, and never alters ■jlßl 1 Since Mr ChamberfUH**'wishes to negotiate where the

WAR RISK CONTRACTS TERMINATED

FORTY-EIGHT HOURS* NOTICE GIVEN BY LLOYD'S

LONDON, September 15.

Lloyd's underwriters have decided to give 48 hours' notice from midnight of the termination of all war risk contracts. .Already fates for outside cover.of waririsk have risen considerably.

Bodyguard Provided By Fuhrer

GREETING \FROM GERMAN CROWDS

(Received September 16, 10.55 a.m.)

LONDON, September 15,

Herr Meissner. Secretary of the Chancellery, /and Herr Schmidt, Herr Hitler's adjutant, greeted Mr Chamberlain on his arrival at Ber-J chtesgaden at 4.10 p.m., and escorted him through a lane of cheering people, who shouted "Heil!" and threw their caps up in the air. A military Black Guard and attaches escorted Mr Chamberlain and the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop) to" Mr Chamberlain's hotel. Mr Chamberlain went straight to his room. Later, accompanied by Herr von Ribbentrop. he left to see Herr Hitler, who welcomed him on the steps at 4.55 p.m. Herr Hitler's greeting was a cordial handshake. A guard of honour from the Fuhrer's own bodyguard was drawn up in front of the house, and Black Guards presented arms as Herr Hitler greeted Mr Chamberlain, who was accompanied by the British Ambassador (Sir Nevile Henderson). Herr von Ribbentrop, Sir Horace Wilson, Mr William Strang, of the British ForI eign Office, the German Ambassador

(Dr. von Dircksen), and various German officials. Herr Hitler escorted his guests to the main hall of the house/where tea was served. Herr Hitler and Mr Chamberlain talked at length, Herr Schmidt interpreting. After the discussion, Mr Chamberlain returned to his hotel. , A crowd on the outskirts of: the Munich aerodrome, over which two Union Jacks waved, cheered. Mr Chamberlain on landing. The cheering was renewed as Mr Chamberlain drove off, accompanied by Herr von Ribbentrop, in an impressive touring car with a.Storm Trooper in full uniform beside the chauffeur. Mr Chamberlain and party boarded a special train at Munich, which slowed down to allow the British party to. partake of a comfortable lunch and Mr Chairiberlain to recover from his air journey.

Detectives, as a precautionary measure, carefully searched Mr Chamberlain's rooms in the hotel over which the Union Jack was hbutcd between two swastikas. Eight of Herr Hitler's personal bodyguard have been detailed to attend Mr Chamberlain.