HITLER’S WELCOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1938, Page 5

HITLER’S WELCOME

PRIME MINISTER REACHES BERCHTESGADEN LONG TALK WITH FUEHRER ON ARRIVAL. .NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN TODAY. (Recd This Day, 9.20 a.m.) BERLIN, September 15. The British Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, and his party boarded a special train at Munich, which slowed down to permit a comfortable lunch and for Mr Chamberlain to recover from his air journey. Mr Chamberlain arrived at Berchtesgaden at 4.10 p.m. Herr Meissner, Secretary of the Chancellery and Colonel Schmundt, Heijr Hitler’s adjutant, greeted Mr Chamberlain and escorted him through a lane of cheering people, who shouted “Heil!” and threw their caps up in the air. A military Black Guard and attaches escorted Mr Chamberlain and with Herr von Ribbentrop, he left to see Herr Hitler, who welcomed him on the steps of his house at 4.55. Herr Hitler’s greeting was a cordial handshake. A guard of honour from the Fuehrer’s own bodyguard was drawn up in front of the house. The Black Guards presented arms as Herr Hitler greeted Mr Chamberlain, who was accompanied by Sir Nevile Henderson (British Ambassador to Germany). Herr von Ribbentrop, ..Sir Horace Wilson, Chief Industrial Adviser to the British Government, Mr William Strang, Counsellor in the Foreign Office, Herr von Ducksen, German Ambassador to Britain, and various German officials. Herr Hitler escorted his guests to the main hall of the house, where tea was served. Mr Chamberlain will dine with Herr Hitler and negotiations will begin tomorrow. Herr Hitler and Mr Chamberlain talked at length, Herr Schmidt interpreting. After the discussion Mr Chamberlain return to his hotel.

ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT CHEERING AS PLANE LANDS. MUNICH, September 15. Mr Chamberlain was most cheerful when ~e alighted here today. He appeared to have enjoyed his first flight. Herr von Ribbentrop, who was at the airport to meet him, inquired if he had had a good trip and Mr Chamberlain replied, “Very good.” Others who welcomed Mr Chamberlain were Herr von Dircksen, German Ambassador in London, and Herr Weizaecker, German Foreign Office expert. The party drove into Munich for lunch.

A large crowd which had gathered on the outskirts of the aerodrome, over which two Union Jacks fluttered, cheered as the plane landed. The cheering was renewed as Mr Chamberlain drove off, accompanied by Herr von Ribbentrop, in an impressive touring car. with a uniformed storm trooper beside the chauffeur.