CHEERED ON LEAVING DOWNING STREET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1938, Page 5

CHEERED ON LEAVING DOWNING STREET

Hopes Visit Will Not be Without Result

ENDEAVOURS TO ENSURE PEACE

By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.

LONDON, September 15

The Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, left Number 10. Downing Street, at 7.50 o’clock this morning. Even then a small crowd had gathered which police cleared, in consequence of whispers of a Communist demonstration, for which leaflets had been distributed along Whitehall urging the Premier/to “Fly to Benes, not Hitler.” Mr Chamberlain posed a minute for cameramen, then, wearing an overcoat, he joined his two secretaries in his car. He acknowledged the cheers to the end of Downing Street. Waiting at Heston airport were Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, Dr Kordt, German Charge d’Affaires, and the First Secretary of the Embassy, Baron Von Sei. “It is a perfect morning. Perhaps that is a good omen,” said Lord Halifax, who had a few words with Mr Chamberlain before entering the plane. Among those who were also present at the airport were Lady Halifax, wife of the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cadogan and Lord Brocket, who had recently returned from attending the Nazi Party rally at Nuremberg. Speaking into the microphone before embarking, Mr Chamberlain said: “I am going to meet the German Chancellor because the situation seems one in which personal conversations might have useful consequences. My policy is always to try to ensure peace. The Fuehrer’s ready acceptance of my suggestion encourages me in the hope that my visit will not be without result.” The crowd loudly cheered this statement. Dr Kordt expressed good wishes and congratulations on Mr Chamberlain's magnanimous initiative. The Prime Minister was in the best of spirits and chatted cordially with the German officials. Suddenly Lord Londonderry arrived and handed over a slip of paper to Mr Chamberlain, who was obviously amused. As he entered the plane a small group behind the barrier chanted, “Viva, Czechoslovakia.” Mr Chamberlain was not nervous on his first flight. He sat beside Sir Horace Wilson at a long window, giving a clear view of the countryside. Gleaming silver in the brilliant sunshine the Lockheed Electra nine-seater plane, capable of a speed of 225 miles an hour and piloted by Commander C. N. Pelly and Commander D. S. King, took off perfectly at 8.36 a.m. The machine scintillated like a diamond as it headed east, accompanied by shouts of “Good luck,” “Well done.” As a symptom of the intense public interest in Mr Chamberlain’s visit, the whole approach to the airport was lined with an unbroken avenue of private motor-cars. Mr Chamberlain did not'see the King before his departure, his Majesty arriving at Euston from Balmoral at 7.48 a.m. It is understood that Mr Chamberlain has only a smattering of German and Herr Hitler does not speak English. Mr William Strang, Counsellor in the British Foreign Office, will, therefore, act as interpreter on the British side. The aeroplane used is a British Airways Lockheed Electra liner. The cabin is sound-proof and the machine is fitted with every safety device known to science. It is twin-engined, with Pratt and Whitney Wasp units. The plane is due to arrive at Munich at 1 p.m. Mr Chamberlain may travel from there in Herr Hitler’s personal plane to his private aerodrome at Obersalzburg, 16 miles from Berchtesgaden, where a special bodyguard of Black Guards has been ordered during the whole of Mr Chamberlain’s stay.