PEACE DESIRED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1938, Page 5

PEACE DESIRED

CZECH PRESIDENT APPEALS FOR CALM ENDEAVOURS TO SATISFY CLAIMS. CONFIDENCE & .CO-OPERATION NEEDED. By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. PRAGUE, September 10. President Benes, in a broadcast speech today, appealed for calm judgment. He refrained from referring to the international' situation, and emphasised Czechoslovakia’s peaceful, progressive development. He added that world events compelled her to accelerate her actions, but her spirit had not altered.

“We are endeavouring,” he said, “to satisfy claims of both States and nationalities, while guaranteeing the individual’s receiving the maximum degree of political justice in the spirit of true democracy. For this reason we presented our latest proposals. “We want to establish good relations with our neighbours, especially Greater Germany, thus proving to America and Europe—particularly Britain and France —that we understand that we shall have to fulfill the duties imposed on us by general collaboration. “We must re-establish confidence and co-operation between the two great nationalities of our republic, and ensure the peaceful development for which we are working, not only in the interests of Europe and the world, but of our own towns, factories and families.

“Circumstances compel us to be the first people to make a just settlement of the nationalities problem, but we shall not be the last. A solution entails sacrifice, but we are determined to do our utmost for peace. I have an unshakeable faith in our States, its powers, its resistance, its magnificent army and its invincible spirit. My optimism is stronger than ever.”

GERMANY UNITED DECLARATION BY HITLER AT NUREMBERG. NUREMBERG,, September 10. Herr Hitler, in an address at a parade of Hitler Youth today, did not refer to Czechoslovakia. He said: “If Providence should call me, a future Fuehrer will take over. The people are firmly welded and cannot be torn asunder. “They stand united in joy and sorrow. Germany will be united, come what may. I know the Reich stands firm and safe.” Hitler also said: “You are witnessing great historical events which will not recur for centuries. You are fighters for Greater Germany. “Without the Nazi movement we would have been unable to accomplish what we did on March 12 and 13 (the Anschluss with Austria), but this is only the beginning of our task.” ARMED WATCH FRENCH DESTROY RHINE BRIDGE. PRECAUTIONS ON SWISS FRONTIER. LONDON, September 10. The “News Chronicle's” Basle correspondent says that French workmen destroyed a railway bridge across the Rhine on the north Swiss frontier. A pontoon bridge remains, but the centre has been moved from alignment, and vehicles traversing it are forced to turn sharply. Every effort is being made to safeguard against a German thrust against France across Switzerland. Except for specified commercial routes, Germany is closing her western fronter from Aix la Chapelle to Switzerland to air traffic on September 20. A message from Berlin states that the Minister of Economic Affairs, Dr Funk, has ordered double shifts to be worked in textile factories which are operating on contracts for the armed forces. BRITISH POLICY. FRENCH PRESS URGING PLAIN STATEMENT. PARIS, September 10. French Press opinion concentrates on the fact that France and Russia have clearly stated their positions. It is now felt that a joint French-British demarche and a public statement on pol-

icy by the British Government is essential.

Large numbers of tanks and artillery units, including guns mounted on rails, are being moved into position at night to the rear of the Maginot Line under cover of darkness. The Arab leader of the North African chieftains has telegraphed the Governor-General, stating: “We are loyal to France and ready to answer her call to fulfil our duty as we did in 1914.”

REPORTS & DENIALS ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH CABINET AN OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER LONDON, September 10. The “Daily Mail” says that the Cabinet has decided to inform Germany in precise and formal terms that Britain will not stand aside if Czechoslovakia is attacked. Mr Chamberlain is reported to have decided that the time has arrived to inform Germany that Britain will join France in resisting aggression in Central Europe. There is extreme reticence in Downing Street, which at present refuses to deny or confirm the “Daily Mail’s” story. It is officially stated by Downing Street that, in view of the statements which had appeared in the last day or so regarding reported decisions of Ministers, it can be stated authoritatively that no such statements should be regarded as authentic. The “Daily Telegraph” says that Ministerial consultations took place until late last night.

“PYGMIES & DEMONS”

GOERING CRITICISES THE CZECHS SOME ADVICE OFFERED TO BRITAIN BERLIN, September 10. Field-Marshal Goering, addressing 30,000 members of the Labour Front today briefly referred to Czechoslovakia, declaring a cultureless people, coming from nobody knows where, were oppressing a people of culture. “The ridiculous pygmies themselves do not count,” he said, “but behind them hide Moscow, the Jew and the Maxist demons. Germany and Italy have not established order and peace, to grasp the torch of war. “It would be better if England gave fewer suggestions and established order among her own Jews down there.” (Presumably Palestine.) Field Marshal Goering mocked at the “laughable threats from abroad,” adding: “We have done what we can to protect Germany’s security and honour. The only countries in the world working for peace are Italy and Germany. It is necessary to show the world that reason governs, but, should hatred govern it, we are ready to follow the Fuehrer wherever he leads.”

Asked whether the Czech plan provided a basis for negotiations, the spokesman at the Wilhelmstrasse declared today that they would attempt to make it such. ■ He hoped that the discussions would be quickly resumed.

WILL ENFORCE PEACE DECLARATION BY STALIN. HITLER FACED BY RUSSIAN ARMED MIGHT. LONDON, September 11. The “Sunday Chronicle” says that Stalin, in an interview, said: “War holds no terror for Russia. My country is becoming the most formidable in the world. So long as I am responsible Russia will keep to that path. Hitler knows

“That is why he has not dared to repeat the Austrian invasion by marching into Czechoslovakia. If he did so, he would face Russia’s armed might. The Soviet will not fight for the benefit of its neighbours and competitors, but it will fight tooth and nail whenever its interests are threatened. “The Soviet wants peace and will enforce it. We are strong enough to prevent war breaking out again and we will prevent it.” DISCUSSION AT GENEVA. (Recd This Day, 9.50 a.m.) GENEVA, September 11. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Bonnett, and the Russian Foreign Minister, M. Litvinov, had several hours’ discussion. The Soviet ambassadors from London, Paris and Berlin were present. M. Bonnet also saw Mr R. A. Butler. British Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and the Rumanian Foreign Minister, in the afternoon. SERIOUS OUTLOOK. MR .1. L. GARVIN’S VIEW. (Recd This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 11. Mr J. L Garvin, writing in the “Ob-

server” says: “War on Czechoslovakia will make British neutrality Unthinkable.” He expresses the opinion that England and Germany are more seriously face to face than at any time since 1914. HITLER HAPPY. BREAKFAST WITH FOREIGN JOURNALISTS.' (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) NUREMBERG, September 11. Herr Hitler had breakfast with twenty foreign journalists and appeared very happy, laughing and joking. He did not refer to-the crisis. Herr Hitler afterwards reviewed 120,000 troops, who goose-stepped past him. ORDERED HOME. BRITISH RESERVE OFFICERS IN U.S.A. HOLLYWOOD, September 10. It is stated that five British reserve officers have been ordered to stand by for mobilisation. Film studios are rushing the production of pictures in which the officers are taking part.

ANXIETY IN LONDON CROWD GATHERS IN DOWNING STREET. EXTENDED MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE. (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 11. The Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, Viscount Halifax and Sir John Simon and Sir Samuel Hoare met at Downing Street at noon, while hundreds of people thronged the street outside. The Ministers’ conference continued throughout luncheon and till Sir Samuel Hoare, left, at 3 p.m. discount Halifax received Mr Anthony Eden at the Foreign. Office, where they had a conference lasting for ninety-five minutes. The United States Ambassador, Mr Kennedy, also arrived at the Foreign Office.

RESERVES OF POWER M. SARRANT’S CONFIDENT DECLARATION. RALLY OF WORLD-WIDE FORCES. (Recd This Dap, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS, September 11. M. Sarrant, Minister for the Interior, declaring French preparedness and appealing to Germany to maintain peace, asserted that nothing was impossible for France, which possessed inexhaustible reserves of power at home and abroad and could again preserve her destiny if confronted by a foreign peril. Common fealty, he said, demanded that all should gather closely round the Prime Minister, who had brought France’s incomparable army to perfection. France faced her destiny as a compact unit, to which world-wide forces of wisdom and reason would rally, in order to save peace. M. Sarraut emphasised Britain’s affirmation of solidarity with France, and expressions of American sympathy. RECALLED TO PARIS. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER. (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) GENEVA, September 11. M. Bonnet is returning to Paris, following upon a telephone call from the Prime Minister, M. Daladier.

MINOR CLASHES. SUDETENS STONE POLICE. PRAGUE. September 11. A number of minor clashes occurred between Sudetens. Czechs, and the police today. Five thousand Nazis paraded the streets of Aussig singing the German anthem and stoning the police. Similar incidents occurred at Teplitzschonau. Gablonz, and Fischorn. There were no serious casualties and the police eventually dispersed the crowds.

PRAYERS IN AUSTRALIA

SPECIAL SERVICES LARGELY ATTENDED. MANY YOUNG PEOPLE PRESENT. (Recd This Day, 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The special church services, held in response to the suggestion of the Federal Prime Minister. Mr J. A. Lyons, that all denominations should unite in prayers for peace and for Divine guidance in national affairs, attracted very large congregations. A feature was the number of young people present.