Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1938. LORD RUNCIMAN’S MISSION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1938, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1938. LORD RUNCIMAN’S MISSION.

in hand from Prague and elsewhere at time of writing do not encourage optimism regarding the probable outcome of the mission of mediation Viscount Runciman has undertaken, at the request of the British Government, but not as acting on its behalf. A cablegram yesterday which reported the opening' of the first direct Czeeh-Sudeten negotiations since Lord Runciman’s arrival was almost at once contradicted, a later message stating, that the Henlein Party delegates did not recognise the constitutionality of the Ministerial Committee, and refused to negotiate except with the Czech Premier, I)r Hodza. This sort of thing, together-with the massing of German troops on the frontiers, may be either preliminary sparring, or part of a determined campaign to make the success of the negotiations impossible. A good deal that is going on at present suggests that the latter explanation is the more likely of the two. One of yesterday’s cablegrams quoted an official Czech broadcast objecting to a German, “campaign of insolence which is directed against the efforts of France and Britain for European peace.” One indication of what is being objected to appears in an accompanying' report that the latest suggestion in the German Press is that the Sudetens may be forced to take “measures of self-defence against the Czech terror.”

As between the two parties, there cannot be any doubt that the Czechs are sincerely anxious for a peaceful settlement, while the Henlein Party can hardly be regarded as anything else than an outpost of German aggression. It is plainly enough established that Germany, under pretence of championing a German minority, is intent on reducing Czechoslovakia to vassalage, in the hope that she would thus gain. a commanding position in Middle and Eastern Europe. The only question that really remains open is whether she is prepared to pursue that design even at the cost of plunging Europe into war.

Although Lord Runeiman is not a negotiator on behalf of Britain and .conveys no proposals by the British Government for the settlement of the minorities problem in ' Czechoslovakia, it has been observed justly that his informal appointment as a mediator is in absolute contrast to the so-called policy of non-intervention Britain has adopted towards Spain. Hedged about as it is with careful safeguards ai)d limitations, the appointment of Lord Runeiman as a mediator represents an intervention in the affairs of a foreign country—an indication of active interest of which both the contending parties may be expected to take due notice.

The very fact that Britain has asked Czechoslovakia to make all reasonable concessions to the Sudeten Germans, and to do it without loss of time, implies that Britain is prepared to approve and endorse a settlement, or proposed settlement complying with the conditions she has laid down. It'is a question of some moment for Germany whether, having gone so far, Britain may not feel bound to go. further—whether, that is to say, she may not feel bound to resist any attempt by Germany to impose an unjust settlement on Czechoslovakia.

Probably there would be an open and easy road to a settlement if Germany, in return for the concession of a liberal autonomy to the Sudetens, were prepared to join with other Powers in guaranteeing the independence and sovereignty of Czechoslovakia within her present frontiers. No suggestion remotely approaching this has come from Germany, however. Instead there has been a wildly abusive and provocative campaign in the German Press, which as everyone- knows is under strict official control, together with menacing declarations by some of Herr Hitler’s close associates. It appears to be the simple truth that the Nazi dictatorship could sweep away almost, with a word any and every impediment to a satisfactory and stable settlement in Czechoslovakia. It is because Germany instead is manufacturing difficulties and mouthing threats that a European and world crisis centres today on Czechoslovakia.