BRITAIN AND FRANCE AGREE ON POLICY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22511, 20 September 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN AND FRANCE AGREE ON POLICY

Reported

Joint Proposals For

Settlement

INCREASED TENSION IN DANUBIAN

STATES

The bare official announcement that France and Britain were in agreement on the policy to be adopted to promote a settlement of the present crisis, was the only authenticated development in the crisis yesterday.

It is reported, however, that Britain and France v have agreed on a peace plan involving the secession of certain parts of the Sudeten territory to Germany, accompanied by a guarantee by the great Powers of Czechoslovakia's security.

Tension is said to be greater in the Danubian States. The formation of the Sudeten volunteer corps is progressing rapidly, and a reported declaration by Herr Hitler that he was prepared to assume personal leadership of the Sudetens has intensified the general unease.

In the meantime, apprehension has increased in the United States, where there is an apparent cleavage of opinion between isolation and direct intervention. It has been suggested that Mr Roosevelt should follow Mr Chamberlain's example in making a direct personal appeal to Herr Hitler for a peace conference.

REPORTED PLAN FOR PEACE

MUSSOLINI ON

THE CRISIS

PARTIAL SECESSION BY SUDETENS GUARANTEES TO BE GIVEN BY GREAT POWERS (TOTTZO PMSS ASSOCIATJOU— COPTBIGHT.) (Received September 20, 1 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. A communique from No. 10 Downing Street, issued at 12.15 a.m., states: "After full discussions on the present international situation, representatives of France and Britain are in complete agreement on the policy to be adopted with a view to promoting a peaceful solution of the Czechoslovak question. "The two Governments hope that it will be thereafter possible to consider a more general settlement in the interests of European peace."

" PLEBISCITE THE ONLY

SOLUTION "

A CZECHS AND tfOUR-POWER

CONFERENCE

(tnrmsn p*m« *«ioci*no*— coptright.)

(Received September 19, 10 p.m.)

LONDON, September 19,

[ -Speaking from a stand in front of the Palazzo Commiinale at Trieste after landing from a destroyer, Signor. Mussolini referred to Mr Chamberlain as a flying messenger of peace. He said: "When problems have reached a stage of tormented complication, the solution is-most simple, logical, and radical, namely, that which we Fascists call totalitarianism. It is necessary to act quickly.

"In the face of the problems now agitating Europe, the solution has one simple name—plebiscites for all nationalities that demand them. History teaches that empires are won by arms and kept through prestige, which requires a clear and serene consciousness of race."

An official announcement from Paris states that the French Cabinet unanimously approved M. Daladier's attitude in London and the policy agreed upon there. A plan is being submitted to Czechoslovakia and to Herr Hitler which, it is believed, will comprise: (1) The secession of parts of the Sudeten German territory to the Reich.

Signor Mussolini proceeded to deal with the racial problem, and said the world would be surprised at Italy's generosity to Jews who had shown merit in civil or military fields. ~. .■ II Duce addressed a huge audience of 180,000 massed in the Unity square. He spoke for 26 minutes in a oirong, clear voice. He was" frequently cheered when he referred to hopes for peace and to racial policy, and there were boos when h© mentioned Prague and Moscow. The Prague representative of the "News-Chronicle" says the Czechs declare that after Signor Mussolini s speech it is absurd to talk of a fourPower conference, including Italy and Germany, being given power to make a decision at the expense of Czechoslovakia. They are prepared, however, to consider a conference in .which they and Russia would be represented, or alternatively, that the dispute should be referred to the League of Nations.

(2) The establishment of cantons in the other Sudeten areas, where the population will vote on the form of Government desired.

(3) Security guarantees from France, Britain, and other Powers. According to the diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Herald' the British and French plan proposes the transference to Germany of all districts which voted more than 75 per cent, tor the Henlem Party at the recent municipal elections. Districts which voted less than 75 per cent., but more than 50 per cent., will be given autonomy inside Czechoslovakia. Hungarian and Polish districts, will be similarly treated. The new Czech frontiers will be guaranteed by the Great Powers and the neighbouring States, thereby releasing Czechoslovakia from her French and Soviet .alliances. , A message from Paris says the urgency of the attempt to find a solution is indicated by the fact that though M. Daladier only reached Le Bourget aerodrome at 9.40 a.m., the Cabinet began its session at 10.30. Before leaving London the French delegation emphasised that no confirmation could be given to rumours that decisions had been reached. The joint communique must be regarded as complete and accurate. The Czech semi-official press bureau in Prague appealed to the populace to receive -the news of the British and French discussions "with calni assurance." "All constitutional agencies, the President and the Government," it stated, "are in permanent session, and in constant contact with the friendly nations. BritishFrench discussions will be examined from the viewpoint of Czechoslovakia's vital interests. These can be safeguarded only if supported by the strictest discipline and if the people, in dignified calm, have confidence in their responsible leaders, who, in complete unity and full consciousness of the real welfare of the State, are working to secure its future in the sense of the President's and the Government's recent proclamation*."

CZECH RESIDENTS IN AUSTRIA

PARIS

TALKS

POLICE QUESTIONNAIRES

SUBMITTED

CAMPS MADE FOR SUDETEN REFUGEES .

(Received September 19, 10 pirn.)

"VIENNA. September 19,

Czechs have bden summoned to the police stations and ordered to complete questionnaires as to .whether they are of Czech or German origin. . ■ "■' A refugee camp is being prepared for.Sudetens who are pouring across the frontier. ;

By special arrangement Re.uter'« World oervice; In addition to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intelUgence published in this' issue, and" all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved, .. ■ —*

Herr Hitler's Speech Intensifies General Unease

PLEBISCITE LIKELY TO BE RESISTED

rtj«riT«D pmasa mwoctatto*— copybight.)

"CONDEMNED UNHEARD"

CZECH MINISTER IN

COMMENT ON LONDON

(Received September 20, 2.15 a.m.)

PARIS, September 19.

EMPEROR'S ASSURANCE OF LOYALTY

(Received September 19, 10"p.m.)

PARIS, September 19,

The Emperor of Annam has assured the Governor-General of Indo-China of the allegiance to France of both himself' and ms subject*. .:. ■•-. ..-_„:

FRENCH VISIT TO LONDON

Ministers Confer At Downing Street

(Received September 19, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. The French Prime Minister (M. Daladier) and the French Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet) arrived.in London by air on Saturday and began a conference with the British Ministers.

A conference between M. Daladier and M. Bonnet and Mr Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, Sir John Simon, and Sir Samuel.Hoare and various officials adjourned at 7.40 p.m. The talks broke up eight minutes after midnight. The conference had lasted for eight hours. 20 minutes. M. Daladier and M. Bonnet left Croydon at 8.20 a.m. for Paris. While the conference sat, motorcyclists carried dispatches to the King at the Royal Lodge at Windsor. » , . ~ It is felt that the week beginning to-morrow may well prove more fateful than its predecessors. The Czechoslovakian Ministers in London and Paris have notified the British and French Governments that Czechoslovakia takes it for granted that.she will be consulted before any decisions are arrived at, otherwise she cannot accept responsibility for them. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the "Observer," declares that if Germany attacks Czechoslovakia without respect for non-German interests, and France is forced to support Czechoslovakia, there will be a world war in which the British Empire will unhesitatingly be engaged to the death.

After a conversation with M. Bonnet, who disclosed the details of the British and French plan, the Czech Minister in Paris (M. Osqsky) was visibly moved. -"..'. He told reporters: "Do you want to see a man condemned without being, heard? Here I stand."