FIRM ACTION REGARDING CENTRAL EUROPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1938, Page 6

FIRM ACTION REGARDING CENTRAL EUROPE

Ambassador to Germany Given Definite Instructions HOPES OF AVERTING OUTBREAK OF WAR By Telegraph.—Press . Association.—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 30. The Australian Associated Press learns that Mr Malcolm MacDonald (Secretary for the Colonies) and Sir Robert Vansittart (Chief Diplomatic Adviser) deputising for Lord Stanley (Secretary for the Dominions) obtained from the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) his views on the European crisis for submission to the Dominions which are being kept informed of Britain’s determination to pursue the firmest policy with Germany. Sir Nevile Henderson .(British Ambassador in Berlin) has received fresh instructions and has also been empowered to issue a demarche in Berlin in the event of a breakdown of the Runciman negotiations, and Britain (will then use all her influence and if necessary the full force at her command to line up all the nations determined to preserve peace. It is generally believed that Britain’s unswerving resolve not to allow a violent alteration jof the Central .European situation will prevent war. It is significant that all sections of the British Press, some formerly critical of the Government, are now benevolent towards Mr Chamberlain. The communique cabled earlier conveys, diplomatically, more than appears on the surface. The phrase “action already taken refers to Sir Nevile Henderson's warnings last week to Herr von Ribbentrop and Baron von Neurath, who did not (regard them seriously, whereupon Sir Nevile Henderson requested his.recall to place; the position before Ministers. He is now able to return to Berlin with full, unanimous and definite, but unwritten, instructions which he will attempt to convey to Herr Hitler personally, as it is doubtful whether Herr von Ribbentrop passed on the first warning.