ENTHUSIASM IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 13

ENTHUSIASM IN BRITAIN

PEOPLE BREATHE MORE FREELY "TOO MUCH MUST NOT BE HOPED FOR » (TTNITED fBESS ABSOCIATIOH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 29, 2 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. Mr Chamberlain's dramatic announcement was made a few minutes before the closing of the Stock Exchange. Mr Chamberlain was smiling when he left the House for No. 10 Downing Street, and was greeted with cheers from the crowd waiting in Whitehall. Mr Chamberlain called to them: "It's all right this time."' Queen Mary, who was present in the House with the Duchess of Kent, left in tears. There were delirious cheers for her, likewise every official car. The House adjourned at 3.10 p.m. The French Prime Minister (M. Daladier), in a broadcast to his nation, announced the acceptance of the invitation to a conference. "The task ahead of me is still difficult," he said. "You will understand that I cannot say much now, except that since the beginning I have not for one minute ceased work for the supreme aim—preservation of peace and security for France and the world. To-morrow I will continue the task." The entire country suddenly, passed from gloomy foreboding to hope after hearing the news of the Munich conference.

Mr Chamberlain's cry to the crowds in Downing Street, "It's all right this time," was taken up everywhere as a miracle phrase, coming when the nation knew it could not be nearer to war, and with war preparations and precautions being pushed on day and night. In spite of the -realisation that Europe's troubles were by no means ended, everyone again feels able to breathe more freely. The West End went wild with enthusiasm after hearing Mr Chamberlain's announcement. Matinees were interrupted, audiences greeting the repetition of Mr Chamberlain's dramatic words with long cheering. While the country is rejoicing over the respite, the Government has taken pains to make clear that too much must not be hoped for. The Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) made a statement after the rising of the House, emphasising that it was in the interests of everyone that precautions, including the distribution of gas-masks, the digging of trenches, and the organisation of first-aid posts, should be pushed on to completion as rapidly as possible. Having begun the prec utions, England is determined not to be caught unawares while the crisis persists.

NEW PROPOSALS EXPECTED

GERMAN OFFICIAL STATEMENT

(Received September 29, 8.30 p.m.)

BERLIN, September 28.

The German official news agency has issued a statement which says: "It has been learned in wellinformed quarters that the new proposals for a jolution of the crisis will be submitted to-day by the British as well as the French Governments. "Mr Chamberlain has offered again to meet Herr Hitler for a personal talk. Simultaneously Signor Mussolini has offered to help search for an immediate solution. "The Czechoslovak crisis does not admit delay. In view of German preparations it demands an immediate solution."