THE MEETING AT MUNICH

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 17

THE MEETING AT MUNICH

PLAN TO SAFEGUARD

PEACE

AGREEMENT AFTER LONG CONSULTATION

GERMAN CROWDS APPLAUD MR CHAMBERLAIN (nans press association —copyright.) .(Received September 30, 8.30 p.m.) MUNICH. September 29.

Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, accompanied by members of his entourage, were the first arrivals at the Fiihrerhaus. Mr Chamberlain, accompanied bv Herr von Ribbentrop, drove up six minutes later. They were saluted with a roll of drums. Then Field-Marshal Goring, accompanied by M. Daladier, arrived. The talks were preceded by a buffet lunch. Herr Hitler talked to M. Daladier, while Signor Mussolini conversed with Mr Chamberlain. After lunch the statesmen adjourned to the Fiihrer’s private study, accompanied by Count Ciano, Herr von Ribbentrop, and M. Alexis Leger, Secretary-General at the Quai d Orsay. The conversations began at 1 p.m. The four statesmen went motoring at 2.55 p.m. Herr Hitler was alone in the first car, Signor Mussolini and Herr Hess in the second, Count Ciano and, Herr von Ribbentrop in the fnird, M. Daladier and Field-Marshal Goring in the fourth, and Mr Chamberlain and Sir Nevile Henderson in the fifth. The conversations were resumed ®t 4.45 p.m., and the conference was still in session at 8.30 p.m. The second session was attended by the British Ambassador (Sir NeV “S Henderson), the Italian Ambassador (M. Bernardo Attolico), the French Ambassador (M. Poncet). anq numerous officials. .An envoy from the Czech Prime Minister (Dr. Krofta) arrived in the bringing Mr Chamberlain ♦uvv Daladier a message stating the Czech attitude. At one stage of the conference the lour statesmen retired with their t° different private rooms, subsequently they resumed the joint

Mr Chamberlain and Sir Horace llson left the Fiihrerhaus at 05 ” P- m - followed by M. Daladier. Herr°Hitle USS °li n i remained with r Th e British spokesman; after the mi 1 * er f Pce . sa id: “The discussions fnendl Y. but there are still a ' iSr ri °* p °i nts to discuss.” ~bamberlain, on returning to Jsj 6l, • a PPeared cheerful and lth the P ro ffress made. A of people outside, and guest? ... ch ?ered. “Heils!” and ann k S j with ’the cheers hotoi d ' clappin K in the lobby. The ea^ 1 = Se i‘ vai ? ts rushed to the stairjoined in the applause. *nr=L^°r-f lgl \ of ? ce adviser (Sir n Kn^ e d f sa ‘ d: “We have been since rPidday, almost interruption. There were cum£. points and dis--B,ed* 'All sides are determined to v.

let nothing stand in the way of an agreement.” Signing of the Agreement

Shortly after 1 a.m. the agreement was signed and a special aeroplane took off to fly with the terms of the agreement to Prague. It was expected that the Czech Cabinet would meet forthwith to draw up a reply Just before Mr Chamberlain reached his hotel at 1.37 a.m., Herr Wiedermann rushed up, shouting “The agreement is signed.” The large crowd which had been waiting for hours frantically cheered Mr Chamberlain, who was looking strained and exhausted.

To the excited journalists he said: “I will return to-morrow. Yes, the agreement is signed,” Sir Horace Wilson echoed Mr Chamberlain’s Downing Street cry of Wednesday afternoon, “Everything is all right now.” Mr Chamberlain jostled his way to his rooms amid scenes' of the. wildest excitement in the hotel lobby and on the staircase. Within a few minutes Sir Horace Wilson ran down with copies of the communique which were snatched from his hands by eager correspondents. The Fiihrer Agrees M. Daladier in an interview said: “The agreement substantially aporoximates to the London accord. Had there been any question of threatening the sovereignty of Czechoslovakia I would have resolutely refused to consider further negotiations. The man drawn to-day differs from the Godesberg map. “For a long time I wrestled with the Fiihrer regarding cei-tain methods. such, as the plebiscite touching the Bratislava region. Finally Herr Hitler said; ‘You have been so earnest. I agree with your view.’ ” Mr Chamberlain said; “I exnlained to the Czech delegates the terms of the agreement and went thoroughly into why we reached it. t assure you I have done my best.”