BRITISH LABOUR VIEW

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 11

BRITISH LABOUR VIEW

"Shameful Betrayal"

Of Czechs

FURTHER CONCESSIONS CONDEMNED lOTTITED PBESS ISSOCIiTIOW —COPYXIGHT.) (Received September 20, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. The Council of .oabour, after a long sitting, issued a statement that though desirous of maintaining peace it viewed with dismay the reported British-French proposal? fo/ the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia under Germany's brutal threat of armed force, without consultation with Czechoslovakia. The statement declared: "This shameful betrayal of a peaceful,! democratic people constitutes a dangerous precedent." It expressed profound sympathy with the Czechs and reaffirmed the conviction that enduring peace was obtainable only by the re-establishment of the rule of law, and the ending of lawless force in international relations. The executive committee of the National Peace Council met and issued a statement that no effort should be spared to avoid the immeasurable disaster of a general European war. No solution was satisfactory, however, if it was simply a device to gain time in order to accelerate war preparation, or to bargain to secure immunity for Britain at the expense of Czechoslovakia's liberties.

The , committee condemned the policy of forcing further concessions from Czechoslovakia unless safeguards for its independence and economic future were provided.

"WILL NOT ALLOW DELAY "

REPORTED DECLARATION IN BERLIN

ALLEGED SKIRMISH WITH CZECH SOLDIERS

(Received September 21, 1.5 a.m.l

LONDON, September 20. The Berlin correspondent of the Bi-itish United Press says it is authoritatively declared that Germany will not allow delay in the Sudeten settlement by further diplomatic discussions.

The Official German News Agency states that several hundred Czech soldiers, armed with machine-guns, attempted to cross trie German frontier to kidnap Sudeten refugees from the camp at Seidendorf. It is alleged that they fired on a village early this morning, but were driven off by German border patrols. It is reported that 17 Germans were injured. ' ' Reuters Berlin correspondent reports that while officials are preparing for Herr Hitler's talks with Mr Chamberlain, the precautions, and even warlike development, are maintained. The First Army Corps began its autumn manoeuvres last night. j

CALM AND RESTRAINT IN BRITAIN OFFICIAL PRONOUNCEMENT AWAITED NO DETAILS UNTIL AFTER GOIM?SBERG TALKS (saiTISH OFFICIAL WIBELEBB.) RUGBY, September 19. i

Official quarters strongly deprecate the speculation regarding "the policy to be adopted with a view to promoting a peaceful solution of the Czechoslovakian problem," upon which last night's official communique stated that Britain and France were in complete agreement. It is generally assumed in London that no authoritative information will be available at least until after Lir Chamberlain has seen Herr Hitler again. . • The leading articles in the newspapers generally withhold detailed comment and emphasise the need for calm and restraint. , The "Daily Telegraph" states: A factor which is enormously strengthening the hand of statesmanship is the patient composure with which the public in Britain and France is bearing the strain and suspense. Disappointment, on the other hand, is I expressed that the Berchtesgaden has not been followed by the suspension of provocative utterances by the German press and radio while tremendous issues are being submitted to sober counsel." The Leader of the Labour Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) and Mr Arthur Greenwood visited Downing Street at Mr Chamberlain's invitation so that he might inform them of the position. The Liberal leader (Sir Archibald Sinclair) was also later received by Mr Chamberlain. Other callers were the United States Ambassador (Mr Joseph Kennedy), the Italian Ambassador (Count Grandi), and the French Ambassador (M. Charles Corbin). THE KING RETURNS TO LONDON ■ (BBJTIBB omcui •MBMWM RUGBY, September 19. j The King returned to Buckingham j Palace this morning while the| Changing of the Guard was proceeding in the presence of a large crowd. The King was warmly cheered and the Guards' Band played the National Anthem as. the Royal car entered the Palace gates.