RESERVE IN CZECH OFFICIAL OUARTERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 14

RESERVE IN CZECH OFFICIAL OUARTERS

Public Reajion to Conference 4t Munich REPRESENTATION BY SPOKESMAN SUGGESTED Germany's Aim at Four-Power Pact Suspected (tnrrnj vbsss issociation- copyright.)' (Received September 29, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. The Prague correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says official circles are very reserved towards the announcement of the Munich conference, which is regarded as an unpleasant echo of Germany's long-con.-tinued effort* to create a Four-Power Pact.. It is felt ominous that Mr Chamberlain's speech seemed to imply that the only parts of the Godesberg memorandum which were unacceptable were its ultimative character and its failure to allow a reasonable time for the readjustment of the Czech? and Sudeten populations-. . - - The Czech public received the news of the FourPower conference with as much relief as can be expected from a nation living constantly under : the threat of immediate attack. The Czech Minister in London (Dr. Jan Masaryk) states that he telephoned Mr Chamberlain, who replied

that he was considering the possibility of a Czech spokesman being present at the Munich conference in case his services were desired. Mr Chamberlain said he had communicated with Dr. Benes on the matter.

GENERAL RELIEF IN FRANCE CONFERENCE WIDELY APPROVED OPPOSITION FROM RUSSIANS September 29, 10.30 p.m.) ■y PARIS, September 29. Reports say that the news of the Jrieeting at Munich was .hailed by the entire nation -with heartfelt relief as offering a last-minute chance of escape from the horrors of war. M. Daladier, in a broadcast speech, .explained that he had intended to Make a full statement, but the Munich invitation had altered the situation. He . thanked the people ffoV their brave and dignified attitude. He would go to the conference with the thought that the ■whole nation was behind him. The Brussels correspondent ; of the-"Daily Telegraph" says that the conference is considered to be a big step towards a solution. The idea of a conference between the representatives of democracies and totalitarian States is hailed as a Itmiracle." . - ' '_"' ■■

" A message froni Geneva says that international, opinion is strongly divided. Some feelithat the conference is virtually * -surrender to the dictators. . r

The Russians are strongly against the. conference, seeing in it another proof of the desire of France and Britain to exclude Russia from the councils of Europe.

BERLIN, September 28.

AMSTERDAM, September 29,

SOLUTION STILL POSSIBLE

CZECH STATEMENTS ON CRISIS GERMAN DEMOCRATS' VIEWS (Received September 29, 2 p.m.) '' PTftAGUE, September 28. A .broadcast message stated that a solution is still possible-by tion,/and denied Herr Hitler's claim that there-is ho difference between the Gbdesberg demand and_ the Anglo-French proposals. Moreover, Herr Hitler's . allegation; thajf; , responsibility refsts "on Dr. Series was untrue.

The broadcast appealed to the nation to save food. The smallest crumb must riot be wasted/. It warned everyone against spies, and especially answering questions about national defence, •An, authoritative Czech statement pointed out that whereas Britain and France proposed the cession of territory containing 382,000 Czechs, Herr Hitler demanded territory containing 836,000 Czechs. At least 450 com-, mimes in the area were purely Czech. . ■*..■-•--.■

It also pointed out that the German c'emand for' plebiscites, which could be arranged to swamp Czech votes, were made regarding 19 areas in which the highest German percentage is 29. Three have German percentages of 18.8, 18, and 1.7.9 respectively, one 11.1 per cent., two 8 per cent.„, and the remainder lower percentages. Eight have below 2 per cent. Altogether, in these districts, there are 1,116,000 Czechs and 144,000 Germans.

German Democratic, Socialist and Communist deputies, claiming to speak for more than 1,000,000 people, in addition to 100,000 former Henleinists who refused to participate in the recent putsch, made a statement declaring that the majority of the Sudetens were opposed to the cession of Sudetenland.

German Democrat youth organisations, representing 500,000, have issued a proclamatibn demanding to remain Czech citizens.

More than 50,000 refugees from Sudetenland have passed through Prague in the last few days going to the interior.

NO ENTHUSIASM IN BERLIN

(Received September 29, 2 p.m.)^

I As troops march through Berlin there is not the slightest sign of enthusiasm. The crowds;; are glqomily silent. At Strasbourg 80,000 out of 200,000 civilians have been evacuated. Half the shops are closed, the hotels are deserted, and the refugees are Headed for the Vosges jMountains and inland towns.

HOLLAND PREPARES FOR ~. MOBILISATION

(Received September 29, 10.30 p.m.)

. .The Government has announced a" bill, which is to be introduced today, proclaiming a state of emergency preparatory to .mobilisation,"