OPINION IN LONDON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1938, Page 5

OPINION IN LONDON

“BOLD BUT TREMENDOUS GAMBLE.” QUESTION OF BARGAINING POWER. (Recd This Day. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. The Australian Associated Press says official circles guardedly welcome Mr Chamberlain’s dramatic idea, which was not suggested by M. Daladier, as has been reported. It is frankly recognised as a bold but tremendous gamble, the success or failure of which is dependent on the bargaining powers of Sir Horace Wilson, which are strengthened by the announcement that the Committee of Imperial Defence met this morning, at which Lord Gort, Mr L. Hore-Belisha (Secretary for War), Sii’ Kingsley Wood (Air Minister), Sir S. Hoare and Lord Halifax were present.

ANXIETY IN PRAGUE. DAMAGING SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE. (Recd This Day, 10.45 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 15. Though Mr Chamberlain’s mission is praised as bold and dramatic, it is tinged with suspicion and anxiety lest a settlement should be to a certain degree at the expense of Czechoslovakia, It is felt that the crisis can only be solved either by war or what would virtually amount to amputation. Herr Kundt (Sudeten Parliamentary Leader) summed up the Sudeten view by pointing to a newspaper announcement of Mr Chamberlain’s visit. He said: “This is the important news. All the rest is immaterial.”