EUROPEAN CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1938, Page 8

EUROPEAN CRISIS

BRITISH MINISTERS AND DOMINION .REPRESENTATIVES Latest Features of Situation Outlined CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT STILL NEEDED By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright. (Recd This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 25. The Australian Associated Press says all the High Commissioners conferred with Lord Halifax (Foreign Minister), and Lord Stanley (Dominions Secretary), for two hours. Lord Halifax gave a general survey of the international situation, but the Czechoslovakian crisis dominated the discussions, to which the Dominion representatives freauentlv contributed. Lord Halifax outlined the latest confidential dispatches received from the British Minister at Prague and also explained the situation as seen by Cabinet, which met this morning. . It is gathered that Lord Halifax made it clear that Britain s policy remains identical with Mr Chamberlain's pronouncement m the House of Commons on March 26, when he declared that Britain might not be able to remain indifferent to a Central European upheaval. It is understood that the danger in Czechoslovakia is not oyer. A considerable improvement is needed before a diminution of anxiety will be possible It appears that while England and France-have succeeded in easing tension, neither they nor Dr Hodza (Premier of Czechoslovakia) and Herr Henlein have thus far achieved a basis of negotiation. It transpires that the Czechs called up only one class of reservists to keep order, which at present they have no desire to demobilise. Moreover they are not enthusiastic about having neutral observers in their territory. The Czechs also oppose full concessions to Herr Henlein, claiming that it would be tantamount to the country being governed by a minority. , , . ~ , Meantime, Germany again appears in a restless mood, as is evidenced in bitter Press attacks on Britain. ATTITUDE OF POLAND. SUPPORT FOR FRANCE AGAINST ATTACK. BUT REFUSAL OF FURTHER OBLIGATIONS. ' —XI (Recd This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. The Warsaw correspondent of “The Times” says German circles in Warsaw express contentment at the attitude of the Polish Government in the recent crisis. The Acting Foreign Minister, Count Szembek, received the French Ambassador, M. Noel, and the German Ambassador, Count von Moltke. yesterday and the Czechoslovakian Minister, Dr Slavik, toWhat is regarded as an official pronouncement of the Polish Government’s attitude in view of its commitment under the Franco-Polish Alliance is published in a pro-Government newspaper. It states: “Poland is faithful to her alliance with France and will always fulfil her engagement and go to the assistance of France if she is attacked by any other Power At the same time, it is considered that Poland cannot allow herself to be drawn into any conflict into which France might be drawn because of her alliances with other countries, and especially if the policies of those countries have been a cause of concern to Poland. It seems clear, therefore, that in the contingency of German intervention in Czechoslovakia, whether the French were involved or not, Poland would retain complete freedom of action. , . \ . M. Czerno, who represents Dr Hodza (Premier of Czechoslovakia) in a group of Parliamentarians visiting Poland, said that calm confidence now reigned in Czechoslovakia, “but we are determined to be prepared for any emergency and will not tolerate aggression against our frontier or sovereignty. ■ We are confident that the new Minorities -Statute will satisfy the Polish minority and hope for a new era of friendship between the two nations.” ... „ , , , ■ j Everything possible is being done to bring Czechoslovakia and Poland close together, so as to constitute a barrier to German expansion eastward. FUNERAL PARADE. PROVOCATIVE TALK AT EGER. (Recd This Day, 12.55 p.m.) PRAGUE, May 25. Thousands of Sudeten Germans thronged Eger Market Square before the funei-al of Boehm and Hofmann. They twice loudly shouted “Heil, Hitler!” during the speeches. Herr Henlein referred to the victims fight for German soil. Turning to the coffins, he said: “May your sacrifice be a guiding sign.” . . Herr Frank said: “We fight for the victory of the Nazi idea. If one falls a thousand take his place. Germany must live though we die.”