AN UNUSUAL STEP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1938, Page 8

AN UNUSUAL STEP

APPRECIATION IN GERMANY ACT OF'GfiEAT PERSONAL COURAGE. CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE. (Recd This Day, 12.40 p.m.) BERLIN, September 14. Mr Chamberlain’s decision caused a sensation in political circles, which attach to it the greatest importance. A Wilhelmstrasse spokesman said:— “We expect much from the visit in the interests of European peace. The unusual step is particularly appreciated and shows that Britain, too, recognises the seriousness of the situation.” Diplomatic circles regard the decision as an act of great personal courage and as offering the last‘possible hope of a peaceful solution. Neutrals declare that Mr Chamberlain is stooping to conquer. PRAGUE ELECTRIFIED PLEBISCITE PROPOSAL NOT EXPECTED. OPPOSITION TO MILITARY SOLUTION. (Recd This Day, 12.40 p.m.) PRAGUE, September 14. The news of Mr Chamberlain’s decision electrified the people. Special editions of the papers were bought up eagerly. It is not generally believed that Mr Chamberlain will propose a plebiscite, but he is expected to indicate British approval. It is considered that he will reiterate a refusal to accept a military solution.

WAR OPPOSED UNPOPULAR WITH MASSES IN GERMANY. “SUFFERINGS” OF SUDETENS EXAGGERATED. (Recd This Day, 12.15 p.m.) BERLIN, September 14. A desire to avoid hostilities is expressed not only among the general public, but in official circles. There is no doubt that armed intervention would be most unpopular with large masses of the general public, despite sympathy with the Sudeteners, whose alleged sufferings are exaggerated out of all recognition by the newspapers, which speak of the Czechs “hurling themselves in blind rage and hate against the Germans,” and add that it is impossible for Czechs and Germans henceforth to live together in the same State and demand a plebiscite. HITLER’S AMBITIONS GALLOWAY MEMBER’S VIEW. SUDETEN-GERMAN UNION APPROVED. (Recd This Day, 11.55 a.m.) VANCOUVER (8.C.), September 14. A message from Victoria states that Mr J. H. McKie, Conservative member of Ihe British House of Commons for Galloway, states that Britain is not justified in going to war against the union of Germany and the Sudetens. He added that the outlook had been improved by Herr Hitler’s speech. The Anschluss would benefit Europe. It would be time enough for Britain to interfere when Hitler revealed other ambitions.