LETTER SENT TO HITLER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 17

LETTER SENT TO HITLER

— + : GODESBERG TALKS DELAYED MR CHAMBERLAIN STILL IN OWN HOTEL . REPLY FROM THE FUHRER AWAITED (TOTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 23, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 23. It is reported from Godesberg that Mr Chamberlain, who was to have resumed his talks with Herr Hitler this morning, was still in his own hotel at 11.30 a.m. s It is officially announced that he sent a letter to Herr 1 Hitler, to which it' is understood Herr Hitler will reply. Later it was officially announced that the conference was postponed until later in the day as a result of Mr Chamberlain s letter. The telephone lines to Mr Chamberlain’s hotel were jammed with calls while Mr Chamberlain had a long conversation with London. The announcement of his letter to Herr Hitler was received with something like dismay. It is suggested that there has been a real hitch. The correspondent of the ' British United Press at Godesberg says Mr Chamberlain’s message has caused a sensation in German official circles.

it is understood that Mr Chamberlain’s letter seeks a promise that Germany will not move against Czechoslovakia during the negotiations. • , . . , Mr Chamberlain’s appeal is taken to indicate a warning that precipitate action by Germany before the conclusion of his talks would break off the negotiations. German circles are guardedly optimistic, journalists being assured that Mr Chamberlain would find Herr Hitler in reasonable mood. Mr Chamberlain frequently telephoned No. 10 late yesterday and early this morning. . Herr Hitler entertained Herr Himmler, Herr von Ribbentrop, and Dr. Gobbels till the early hours. During the last phase of the talks yesterday a large map of Czechoslovakia was Used. There is anxiety in British circles that events in Czechoslovakia may overtake "the negotiations. The Godesberg correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that after the conference yesterday Herr Hitler appeared to be most satisfied. He clapped Herr von Ribbentrop on the back and engaged in animated conversations. An official communique is not expected on the talks. It is understood that one will not be issued until the end of the conversations. Welcome at Cologne. Herr Hitler and Mr Chamberlain conferred alone, yesterday, except for the presence of the interpreter, Herr Schmidt. Mr Chamberlain left Herr Hitler’s hotel at 6.45 p.m. About 5000 people assembled at the aerodrome at Cologne and cheered Mr Chamberlain as he emerged from his aeroplane. He was welcomed by the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop), the British Ambassador (Sir Nevile Henderson), and the German Secretary of State (Dr. von Weizsacker). A Black. Guard band played “God Save the King,” and the commander, stepping smartly forward, announced the presence of a guard of honour. Mr Chamberlain thanked him. The flight was one of the fastest on record. The 300-mile journey took Ihr 49min, compared with the normal passenger schedule of 2hr 50min.

Mr Chamberlain went straight to his hotel, where a guard of honour was lined up. A decorated ferryboat carried Mr Chamberlain across the-river. Thousands lined the banks and hundreds of canoes clustered round the ferry. Mr Chamberlain drove to the Hotel Dresden, where he found Herr Hi+ler waiting. Herr Hitler arrived at Godesberg at 10.4 a.m. end Mr Chamberlain arrived at 1.50 n.m. The Fiihrer was accornnard°d hv Werr- von RihDr.Gohbpls. Herr Himmler, and Herr Diptnch. The streets were lined with Storm Troopers, behind whom sehool clustered, saving smell Oaes. Sir Nevifo Hen- . derson arrived at th» Hotel Peterbergor an hour earlier than Herr von Dornbere. a second secretarv at the German Fmbassv in London, and received him. and both drove off to meet Mr Chamberlain at Cologne. Official Statement After Mr Chamberlain’s meeting with Herr Hitler, Sir Horace Wilson issued the following statement from the Prime Minister: “The Prime Minister had a conversation with Herr Hitler, beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing until shortly after 7 p.m. It is intended to resume the convfersations in the morning. “In the meantime, the first tial, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, is that there should be determination on the part of all parties concerned to ensure that local conditions in Czechoslovakia are such as not to interfere with the progress of the conversations. The Prime Minister appeals most earnestly to everybody to assist .in maintaining a state of orderliness and to refrain from action which would be likely to lead to incidents.” The Paris newspaper, “Le Petit Parisien,” declares that the British and French proposals conform to Herr Hitler’s Berchtesgaden desires. If he wants peace, the negotiations should be favourable. If he makes new demands, then everything ,is lost-and he should be stopped at fils game of blackmail. A strangely silent crowd of 150 mustered in Downing Street to see Mr Chamberlain, off.' One booed as he p. used on the steps and smilingly greeted the crowd, and others clanped., ' The German Charge d’Affaires was the first to shake hands with Mr Chamberlain at Heston. The French ‘ Ambassador (M. Charles Corbin) conversed earnestly with

Mr Chamberlain, who was bidden farewell by a burst of cheering from a crowd of journalists and cameramen. In a farewell speech he said; “A peaceful solution of the Czech problem is an essential preliminary to a better understanding between the British .and German peoples. That in turn is an indispensable foundation for European peace, which is being aimed at. I hope my journey may open the way to it.” Lord Halifax has issued the following statement: “I am sure that all will wish Mr Chamberlain well in his s courageous mission of peace. Meanwhile, I urge the public to refrain from forming premature conclusions and wait for the time when Mr Chamberlain will be in a position to place the country in full possession of the facts.”