RESTRAINT IN LONDON

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

RESTRAINT IN LONDON

LONG DISCUSSIONS

BY CABINET

MR CHAMBERLAIN MEETS

“INNER COUNCIL”

LORD RUNCIMAN PRESENT AT

DOWNING STREET

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.)

(Received September 18, 9 p.m.)

RUGBY, September 17,

Many earnest consultations in London began with the visit to No. 10 Downing Street of Lord Runciman, who returned from Prague yesterday. Soon after his arrival he joined the Ministers at 'a Cabinet meeting at which the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) discussed the situation in the light of his visit to Herr Hitler with the so-called “Inner Council of Cabinet,” comprising the Foreign. Secretary (Lord Halifax), the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon), and the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hbare). Civil service advisers present at that meeting included Sir Robert Vansittart and Lord Cadogan. This morning’s consultations between Mr Chamberlain and Lord Runciman lasted until the Ministers began to arrive at Downing Street for the full meeting of Cabinet. While Cabinet was in session Mr Ashton Watkin, Lord Runciman’s secretary, who returned with Lord Runciman from Prague, was called to Downing Street. In view of the continuing gravity of the situation the newspapers welcome the fact that events are being lifted from the control of hot temper into the atmosphere of cool_ but resolute statesmanship. Restraint is displayed in discussing critical problems. and while developments are awaited here with anxious calm, hopes are expressed that a similar attitude will be observed elsewhere. Appeal for Co-operation

“The Times” says: “It is indeed much to be hoped that all parties in Bohemia and outside it, .in spite of inflamed tempers, will heed Lord Runcimah’s .parting appeal to them to refrain from action which will further aggravate the situation. The Sudetens have certainly done quite enough with their demonstrations, their songs, their smashing of windows, and their attacks on policemen, to show that a very large section of them—at the moment, no doubt, the vast majority of them — desires union, with Germany, further indulgence in lawlessness and violence can only damage them case in the eyes of the world—and this is a matter in which, whatever the solution, the opinion ;of the world must count for very much. “Nor will any unbiased observer pay too much heed of the tales of ruthlessness by the Czech police. The Czech Government cannot, and obviously will not, abdicate its function of maintaining order. “The double purpose of the British Government -remains in any case unmistakable—to find a just solution, while throwing its whole weight against a violent attempt at settlement, and thus seeking to preclude that appeal to-force which all Europe might be compelled to answer. What the British- Ministers are attempting is to work in the spirit of the Covenant, whether it be conciliation or revision. ■ “When the British Government, first by encouraging Lord Runciman’s mediatory mission in Prague', and now, by the direct intervention of the Prime Minister, set itself deliberately and energetically to find a peaceful way out of the dangerous impasse, it has the clear right to expect and demand cp-operation, most of all from those who base themselves upon the weight and reality of their grievances.” No arrangements have yet been made for the return of the King to Balmoral to rejoin the Royal Family. His Majesty is being kept in close touch with the ’ developments of the international situation, and his audience with Mr Chamberlain at Buckingham Palace last night lasted more than an hour. Lord Runciman had lunch with His to-day, and, reported on his mission as mediator in Czechoslovakia. The Parliamentary Opposition leaders are being kept informed of developments, which are also being fully communicated to the Dominion Governments.

INDIAN PRINCE PLEDGES

ASSISTANCE

CALCUTTA, September 16

The Maharajah of Bikaner has telegraphed to the Viceroy, placing his, sword, army, and the resources of his State unreservedly at the disposal of the King-Emperor.