CZECH NEGOTIATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1938, Page 5

CZECH NEGOTIATIONS

DR. BENES LIKELY TO TAKE INITIATIVE SEIZURES OF SMUGGLED ARMS. BROUGHT IN FOR STORM TROOPERS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. , PRAGUE, August 26. It is stated that there is good ground for assuming that President Benes will take the initiative and re-open the Czech-Sudeten negotiations on a new basis, including the establishment of three German regions responsible for their own affairs in a similar way to Northern Ireland while sending representatives to Parliament in Prague which would be responsible for the foreign policy, defence and finance. Arms have been seized in a number of places while they were being smuggled into the Sudeten districts. It is known that attempts have been made over a wide area to get weapons into the hands of Sudeten storm troopers.

ANXIETY IN LONDON

DESIRE FOR CONCILIATION ON BOTH SIDES. GERMAN PRESS ATTACKS DEPLORED. (British Official Wireless) (Recd This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 26. The Sudeten problem continues to engage the anxious attention of official circles in London. Great emphasis is laid on its importance of maintaining the right atmosphere during what is recognised to be a critical, if more hopeful, stage of the negotiations' in Prague. No details are known regarding the reported new basis of approach in the 'discussions, but the renewed efforts to reach an agreement attributed in these rbports to Czechoslovakia are welcomed as showing a determined spirit of conciliation, which, in the British view, the situation demands from all concerned. The hope is expressed that an equally conciliatory attitude will be displayed on the side of the Sudetens. Moreover, it is felt here that the tendency, still apparent in sections of the German Press, to make too much of minor incidents for the purpose of newspaper attacks on the Czechs and on the good faith of the Prague Government is much to be regretted.