HENLEIN & HITLER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1938, Page 5

HENLEIN & HITLER

DEVELOPMENT AT RECENT TALK NOW BEING DISCUSSED IN PRAGUE. STRICT SECRECY OBSERVED. (British Official Wireless.) (Recd This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, September 5. Mr A. Watkin, one of Viscount Runciman’s advisers, met Herr Henlein, at the latter’s residence at Asch yesterday, to discuss a development at the Berchtesgaden interview between Herr Henlein and Herr Hitler. In view of the highly confidential character of the exchange of views, no information is available as to what transpired. The Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) and his advisers had before them in London today a brief confidential report received through the British Legation in Prague (to which Mr Watkin reported) of the Runciman mission’s impression of the results of Herr Henlein’s visit to Herr Hitler. This information is being considered along with other relevant factors. Lord Halifax hopes to be in a position to leave for Geneva on Friday to head the British delegation to the League of Nations Assembly. At the meeting of the League Council on Friday, Britain will be represented by Mr R. L. Butler (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs). SUSPICIONS IN PARIS PLEBISCITE ON INVASION. HITLER’S ALLEGED PLAN. PARIS, September 5. The Press still suspects that there will be a demand for a; plebiscite in Czechoslovakia which * Le • Jour” likens to a categorical ultimatum which Britain and France will find difficult to accept. Madame Tabouis in “L’oeuvre” says Herr Hitler has ordered the negotiations to continue till September 10. Then he will propose a plebiscite and immediately invade Sudeten territory, for which he estimates three days will be sufficient. NOT FAR IN BACKGROUND. SIGNIFICANT SUDETEN DEMONSTRATIONS. LONDON, September 5. Reuter’s correspondent in Prague reports that obviously-organised demonstrations yesterday in Petschen and Garnischkranu chanted, “We want one people, one country and one leader,” suggesting that the plebiscite idea is not far in the background. Dr Hodza did not leave Prague during the weekend. He had an interview with President Benes yesterday. Official circles do not support the rumour that Lord Ruriciman may see Herr Hitler. It is pointed out that this would change the private nature of his mediation into direct intervention. FRENCH PRECAUTIONS MAGINOT LINE MANNED. FRANK STATEMENT MADE BY PREMIER. (Recd This day, 9.25 a.ml) PARIS, September 5. Numbers of French reservists have been called to the colours, for the purpose of manning the Maginot Line frontier garrisons at full strength. All leave has been temporarily cancelled. The Prime Minister, M. Daladier, after a conference with the Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, issued a communique stating: “Leave has been cancelled and reservists have been called up as an unavoidable precaution in view of the German frontier reinforcements.” , He urges calmness, which “is an essential element for the maintenance of peace. In any case, according to the latest information, the general situation apparently is tending toward an appreciable relaxation of th tension.” “JUST MANOEUVRES.” LACONIC GERMAN COMMENT. (Recd This Day, 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN, September 5. “Just manoeuvres” is the laconic explanation of frontier troop movements and it is declared to be ridiculous to talk of anti-French concentrations.