BID FOR PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1938, Page 5

BID FOR PEACE

CONCESSIONS TO SUDETEN GERMANS Czechoslovakia Makes Generous Proposals ONLY LIBERTY TO PRACTISE NAZISM DENIED By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, September 6. After over-night uncertainty concerning the new Czech Government proposals for a solution of the Sudeten problem, early morning reports from Prague indicate that they constitute a supremely important step toward appeasement. It is reliably stated that they grant the Carlsbad demands almost in their entirety, and it is believed that cantonal autonomy is being offered, together with generous freedom of administration and recognition of the Sudetens’ legal entity. The proposals refuse, however, the last demand for liberty to profess and practise Nazism, which is regarded as incompatible with a democratic central government. A Cabinet communique describes the offer as “definite,” indicating that;the Government will stand or fall by its latest concessions. The Government is also reported to be firmly holding on to the control of foreign policy. ‘The easing of the situation at the height of the crisis is believed to be the result of heavy pressure from Britain. At Carlsbad on April 24 Herr Henlein enunciated the following demands “in order to pave the way for peaceful development”:— (1) Full equality of status for Czechs and Germans. (2) A guarantee for this equality by the recognition of the Sudeten Germans as a legal body incorporate. (3) Determination and legal recognition of the German areas within the state. (4) Full self-government for the German areas. (5) Legal protection for every citizen living outside the area of his own nationality. (6) Removal of the injustices inflicted in 1918 and reparation for the damages thereby caused. (7) Recognition of the principle: within the German area German officials. (8) Full liberty to profess* German political philosophy. SUDETEN CONGRESS. ON LINES OF NUREMBERG RALLY. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 6. The Sudeten Germans have decided to convene a party congress, on the model of the* Nuremberg Nazi rally, for October 15 and 16, at Aussig, fifteen miles from the German frontier. All the leaders and 20,000 delegates will attend. Herr Henlein has gone to Nuremberg, as a guest of honour of Herr Hitler. STOCK MARKETS. HOPEFUL FEELING IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 6. A more hopeful feeling regarding the international situation has J imparted a firmer tone to the stock markets. German and Czech bonds are higher. ANOTHER STORY. i . PARIS BOURSE UNSTEADY. 1 1 (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) BERLIN, September 6. ( The Bourse was again unsteady and disturbed by news of the French precautions and a feeling that the Czech situation is uneasier. <

TENSION EASED

MORE CONFIDENT FEELING IN PRAGUE DISTURBING STATEMENT BY HENLEIN. REALISATION OF CARLSBAD DEMANDS. LONDON, September 6. The Prague correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that the tension has eased perceptibly with the announcement of the Government’s preparation of a definite plan for a settlement, which is described as the limit to the concessions they are prepared to make. The proposals will be discussed today at separate meetings of the Czechs with the British mission and later with the Sudetens, after which it is expected that the details of the plan will be disclosed. After the conference today, Herr Henlein curtly stated in a communique: “All reports go to show that the dispute can be settled only by a comprehensive and rapid realisation of the Carlsbad demands.”

, The Prague correspondent of “The Times” registers the impression that this statement is akin to throwing down the gauntlet. Reuter’s Prague correspondent reports that the chief points of the Czech proposals are: First, recognition of the territorial autonomy of the Sudeten region; secondly, recognition of the full equality of status of the Sudetens in the Czechoslovak State; and thirdly, recognition of the equality of German as an official language in the Sudeten area. It is freely reported that the Sudetens have a regional system of government ready to be put into operation the moment their demands are attained. NO IMPORTANT CHANGE. LORD HALIFAX ON WATCH. (British Official Wireless.) (Recd This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, September 6. Viscount Halifax was again engaged today on an examination of various aspects of the situation in Central Europe, in which there has ,been no important change today.