STRICT SILENCE MAINTAINED IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22510, 19 September 1938, Page 9

STRICT SILENCE MAINTAINED IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES

All-Day Meeting of British Cabinet

MORE MODERATE TONE DISPLAYED BY SUDETEN LEADERS

Although strict silence is maintained by official circles in London, Prague, and Berlin, the reports on the European crisis show no major developments during the week-end. As reported in a British Official Wireless message, hot temper has given way to cool but resolute statesmanship.

The British Cabinet sat all day on Saturday, when Mr Chamberlain reported on the result of his talks with Herr Hitler, and conveyed to the Cabinet Inner Council the substance of the reports made to him by Lord Runciman on his return from Prague. It is learned that Mr Chamberlain suggested a scheme for cantonal regional autonomy, but that the Czechs are determined to oppose any . weakening of their sovereignty.

While the absence of news from London has encouraged optimism, reports from Prague indicate that the Government’s firm measures have restored order and given it control of the situation. The dissolution of the Sudeten Party was proclaimed on Friday night, and no incidents of any consequence were reported as a result of this action.

On the contrary, the Parliamentary leader of the Sudetens, Herr Kundt, has issued proclamation to partv. members urging them to exercise patience .until Mr Chamberlain and Herr Hitler conclude their conversations. 1

German reports, however, state that Herr Henlein, who is in hiding, has ordered the formation of a Sudeten volunteer corps bh the-Czech frontier. This has led German official quarters to declare that the situation is worse, rather than better.

LONG MEETING

PUBLIC INTEREST

OF CABINET

IN CRISIS

RETURNS

OFFICIAL SILENCE IN DOWNING STREET

THOUSANDS PRAY AT WESTMINSTER

THIS WEEK REGARDED

BARRIERS TO plan FOR

AS FATEFUL

CROWDS

SETTLEMENT ?

(UNITED PRESS' ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.)

(UNITED '.PRESS' ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.)

(Received September 18, 11 p.m.)

( (Received September 18, 10 p.m.)

' LONDON, September 17. ‘ The Cabinet rose at 5.45 p.m. and twilj meet again to-motrow.

LONDON, September 17. The outcome of the Cabinet discussions is not disclosed-. The result of the deputation from the National Council of Labour to Mr .Chamberlain will not be known until it reports to the national council on Monday..

His Majesty went to Windsor from Buckingham Palace. At 6 p.m. Count Grandi, the Italian Ambassador, called at the foreign Office.

The Australian Associated Press Reports that official circles in London were again completely silent,

Meanwhile thousands throng Westminster Abbey to offer prayer. A striking incident was the entry of two; American J sailors accompanied by British marines. German political circles are of the opinion that the situation has become worse, partly because of the formation of the Sudeten volunteer corps, iri spite of the fact that it is based in Germany and not in Czechoslovakia. Its creation flouts Herr Kuhdt’s counsel to wait until the , Chamberlain-Hitler conversations are completed, and constitutes a party army on German soil. Another straw 1 showing the direction in which the wind is blowing is'the stoppage of German river services to Czechoslovakia. Czechcontrolled services are maintained, but the bulk of the traffic is German owned.

. while the momentous Cabinet meeting dragged on hour after hour. Before the lunch adjournment callers at No. 10 Downing Street included Mr Joseph P. Kennedy, the American Ambassador, Air Marshal Sir Cyril Newell, Chief of the Air " Staff, and Lord Cadogan, while Lord . Runciman attended during the first hour of the meeting.. Mr Chamberlain reported fully on his talks with Herr Hitler, who, according to German reports, demanded the secession of Sudetenland

by October 1, otherwise he would march. These familiar tactics were temporarily held up by Mr Chamberlain’s insistence that Britain and France would not tolerate a settlement by force, but Mr Chamberlain’s suggestion to consider cantonal regional autonomy is now complicated by the Czech determine* lion to oppose any weakening of sovereignty in . Czechoslovakia or interference in its foreign policy. ■■■;, It is known that Mr Chamberlain Iv'is anxious to conclude an ambitious programme for the settlement of all European problems, including Spain, but the desperate and irresponsible nature of some of Herr Hitler’s advisers presents •an almost insuperable barrier.

Czechoslovakia regards most seriously the formation of a -volunteer corps, which may compel special Cabinet decisions leading to further complications. The position is not improved by the Czechoslovak Charge d’Affaires having protested to Berlin against the Henleinist kidnapping of 18 uniformed Czech police frontier guards. Their release is demanded. The Charge d’Affaires also renewed representations against the arrest of Czechs living in German towns. it is felt that the week, beginning September 19, with the meeting of French and British ministers, may well, prove' more fateful than, its predecessors. - ~ ■ ■ Meanwhile: the' Pans press is profoundly pleased by the announcement of the French-British conference, which it is understood will principally;. consider, the Sudetens demand through Herr Hitler for

’ . Dr. Hugh Dalton, Mr Herbert Morrison, and Sir Walter Citrine, . representing the National Council of .'Labour, placed before Mr Chamberlain after the Cabinet meeting the • {Views of the trade union movement pn the crisis.

5Mr S. M. Bruce, Mr C. TV Te ater, and Mr J. W. Dulanty, the igh Commissioners for Australia!, South Africa, and Eire respectively, ■•1 galled bn the Dominions office m ; the evening to keep abreast of the ■/(btuation. :

Sucb of the cable news in this Issue a« ■ ' IS;so headed has appeared in- “The "Time*," (hd la sent to ’ this ; paper by ;, H |aecUl permission. It should be under* fv- Mood that the opinions are. not those of TTha Time*’* unless expressly elated to : - ' , r-i

Czech Government Regains Control of Situation

MR CHAMBERLAIN

Enthusiasm Shown In London

WELCOME BY CHEERING

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT;)

(Received September .17, 9.50 a.m.)

LONDON, September 16. Mr Chamberlain landed at Heston at ,5.29 p.m. A letter from the King was handed to him on arrival. Mr Chamberlain said; “I came back rather quicker than I expected. If I had not been so preoccupied, I would have found the trip most enjoyable. ’ “I had a frank talk with Herr Hitler and I feel satisfied now that each understands what is in the mind of the other. I woulfi advise you not to accept prematurely unauthorised accounts of what happened in the conversations with Herr Hitler. I am .discussing them to-night with my colleagues and others, especially with Lord Runcixnan. . , , T “Later, perhaps in a few days, I am going to have another talk with Herr Hitler. This time he is comii. • halfway to meet me. He wishes to°spare an old man another long journey.” Mr Chamberlain’s message was broadcast to the nation from the aerodrome. .Cheering crowds greeting him almost drowned the sound of the engines. , „ ■ . The German Charge d’Affaires (Herr Kordt) welcomed Mr Chamberlain. He said; “I hope you feel successful. At any rate, you conquered the hearts of my countrymen.” , . _ Lord Runciman arrived at Croydon at 5.28 p.m. He said: “It is a most delicate situation. It is on the knees of ‘the gods.” ‘ .. 'A thousand people at, Whitehall cheered Mr Chamberlain as he drove up to No. 10, where he was greeted by his wife, Mr Chamberlain, before takmg off from Munich, said: “I am greatly gratified at the warmth and friendliness of the reception given me, not only by the Government but by tho people, who came out into the streets to , give • me a welcome.” Mr Chamberlain looked happy. Saying farewell to Herr von Ribbentrop,' h£* said: “Good-bye, thank you for all you have don^.” All the way from. Munich to the airport, police were, posted at' intervals of 150 yards. There was a .guard: of honour outside the aerodrome: Officials saluted in Nazi fashion. Mr Chamberlain took off

his hat and bowed in response to the good wishes. Labour representatives, Sir Walter Citrine, Mr H. Morrison, and Dr. Hugh Dalton, are requesting Mr Chamberlain to give at the earliest moment a confidential outline of the result of his visit to-Herr Hitler. They also propose to reaffirm to Mr Chamberlain that. Labour will not permit the violation of Czech in r tegrity. Mr Chamberlain had a conference with Lord Halifax, Sir John Simon, ai.d Sir Samuel Hoare, who immediately arrived at Noi 10.

Lord Runciman called at Mr Chamberlain’s request at 7 p.m. Lord Runciman, on leaving No. 10, said he did not know whether he was returning to Czechoslovakia. Mr Chambferlain’s audience with the King lasted 75' minutes. A crowd of several thousand surged round the car as Mr Chamberlain left the Palace. In spite of the police the cheering people brought the car almost to a standstill. The Prime Minister appeared surprised at the enthusiasm,! Further crowds awaited his arrival 1 , at Downing Street.'