REFUSAL TO CONSIDER SUDETEN ULTIMATUM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1938, Page 7

REFUSAL TO CONSIDER SUDETEN ULTIMATUM

Special Measures in Disturbed Areas to be Maintained LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE SEEKING REFUGE IN PRAGUE By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. PRAGUE, September 14. The official spokesman stated early this morning that the Government intends to maintain the special measures until calm is assured. He declared that there was no question of acceptance or rejection of the ultimatum, which the Government could not consider. The Government was anxious to continue the negotiations. . 1 Trains are arriving from Sudetenland filled with women and children fleeing from the war menace. Every hotel is filled to overfllowing. The Sudeten German Democratic Party has issued a manifesto in favour yjf peace, stating that national equality of status and farreaching self-government can be achieved without war. “On the ether hand, there is deadly danger of our people being misused as a tool for imperialistic claims of hegemony. The Sudeten Germans will be the first victims when the nations rise against Germany and their home will be destroyed in a clash of the world Powers.” , Leading army officials are reporting to President Benes throughout the night. Lord Runciman and Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador in Berlin, have gone to Asch for a conference with Sudeten leaders, who announce that Herr Henlein will demand a plebiscite later today. Henlein officials normally resident in Prague have departed. Twenty lorry-loads of troops passed through Carlsbad last night en • route for the disturbed areas. , It is reported from Berlin that Nazi quarters state that a Sudeten delegation is on its way to Prague to demand “Yes” or “No” from President Benes to the straight question: “Will you give us the right of self-determination or not.” The feeling in London is that a short breathing spell may thus be expected as the Czechs are not likely to grant self-determination and the Sudetens will not retreat from their positions. Another message from London reports that Mi- Chamberlain had a long telephone talk with M. Daladier, the French Premier, yesterday, when arrangements were made for Anglo-French general staff talks to take place without delay, coinciding, according to the “Daily Mail,” with definite steps for.a full mobilisation of the British fleet.