CRISIS CONCESSIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1938, Page 5

CRISIS CONCESSIONS

ANGLO-FRENCH SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS Transfer of Some Sudeten Areas to Germany GREAT POWERS TO GUARANTEE SECURITY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, September 19. As a result of the talks in London between members of the, British Cabinet and M. Daladier, French Premier, and M. Bonnet, French Foreign Minister, it is reported that a definite plan for a solution of the Sudeten crisis is to be submitted to the Czech Government and Herr Hitler. Reuter’s correspondent in Paris says that the plan which is being submitted to Czechoslovakia and to Herr Hitler is believed to comprise:— 1. The secession of parts of the Sudeten German territory to the Reich; 2. The establishment of cantons in other Sudeten areas, where the population will vote on the form of Government desired; 3. Security guarantees by France, Britain and other Powers. According to the “Daily Herald’s”’diplomatic correspondent the Anglo-French plan proposes the transference to Germany of all districts which voted more than 75 per cent, for the Henlein Party at the recent municipal elections. The districts which voted less than 75, but more than 50 per cent., will be given autonomy inside Czechoslovakia. The Hungarian and Polish districts will be similarly treated. The new Czech frontiers will be guaranteed by the Great Powers and neighbouring States, thereby releasing Czechoslovakia from her French and Soviet alliances. The Czechoslovak Ministers in Londan and Paris have notified the British and French Governments that Czechoslovakia takes it for granted that she will be consulted before decisions are arrived at, otherwise she cannot accept responsibility for them. The “News-Chronicle’s” Prague representative says that the Czechs declare that, after Signor Mussolini’s speech (in which he declared that the only way out was a plebiscite), it is absurd to talk of a Four-Power Conference where Italy and Germany would be given power to make a decision at the expense of Czechoslovakia, but they are prepared to consider a conference in which they and Russia are represented, or are prepared to agree that the dispute be referred to the League of Nations. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says that Herr Hitler conferred with Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, several times during the week-end and received several high army officers. Reuter reports that Mr. Chamberlain will go to Godesberg on September 19 for his second conference with Herr Hitler. The Sunday Press generally appears to be reconciled to the view that Mr. Chamberlain will urge on M. Daladier the consideration of all aspects of a plebiscite under international supervision with a cantonal system of government, with guarantees from Britain, France, Italy and Germany, on condition that Herr Hitler demobilises. Thus it is' possible that Mr Chamberlain may take the opportunity to propose a four-Power conference when he meets Herr Hitler again.

BRITISH CABINET

APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT PLAN FOLLOWING ON TWO HOURS’ DISCUSSION. <. NO FURTHER MEETING ARRANGED By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. (Reed This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The Australian Associated Press says Cabinet, after a two hours’ discussion, approved at midnight the BritishFrench policy and no further meeting was arranged.

CZECH REACTIONS

COUNTRY ABANDONED BY FRIENDS SOME PEOPLE READY TO DIE FIGHTING. OTHERS INTENT ON SAVING WHAT IS LEFT. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 19. The newspapers publish surmises of the British-French plan. The public’s reaction is that Czechoslovakia has been abandoned. Some declare: “We must go down fighting,’ but more moderate counsels emphasise the probability of an international guarantee and stress the importance of saving the rest of the country, since the Sudeten situation is hopeless. CENSORSHIP IMPOSED ACTION BY CZECHOSLOVAK AUTHORITIES “NOT YET THE LAST WORD” (Recd This Day, 9.15 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 19. Cabinet has deferred a decision till its members see the actual BritishFrench plan. A strict censorship has been imposed, foreign telephone calls being tapped and foreign newspapers confiscated. An official broadcast stated that the British-French conversations constitute a further step in dramatic developments, but are not yet the last word. CONDEMNED UNHEARD DECLARATION BY CZECH DIPLOMAT FRENCH MINISTERS GOING TO PRAGUE (Recd This Day, 9.15 a.m.) PARIS, September 19. After a conversation with M Bonnet, who disclosed the details of the British and French plan, the Czech Minister, M Osusky, who was visibly moved, said to Press representatives: “Do you want to see a man condemned without a hearing? Here I stand.” The “Intransigeant” states that M M. Daladier and Bonnet are going to Prague on Wednesday.

NO NEWS IN GERMANY. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) BERLIN. September 19. Official circles appear to be completely in dark over the outcome of the London conference. A Foreign Office spokesman stated that everything depends upon the impending Hitler-Chamberlain meeting. MEETING TOMORROW. MR CHAMBERLAIN & HITLER. (Recd This Day, 9.15 a.m.) BERLIN, September 19. It appears unlikely that the Cham-berlain-Hitler meeting can be arranged before Wednesday at the earliest. ATTACKS TO CONTINUE SUDETEN “FREE CORPS.” HENLEIN IN SUPREME COMMAND. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) BERLIN, September 19. Herr Selb, a Sudeten official, stated that the Sudeten “Free Corps” would continue its attacks on the Czechoslovakian frontier. It had been decided to limit the corps to four divisions of ten thousand men each. Herr Henlein is in supreme command. A large Sudeten rally is being held in Dresden tonight. POLISH DEMANDS. ORGANISED DEMONSTRATIONS. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) WARSAW, September 19. The Polish Press proclaims in large headlines: “We demand the return of Polish soil in Czechoslovakia.” Demonstrations, , with the slogan: “Poles in Czechoslovakia, home to the Fatherland!” are being organised in Polish Silesia. FRONTIER COURTESIES. MUSSOLINI & YUGOSLAV REGIMENT. (Recd This Day, 9.15 a.m.) TRIESTE, September 19. Signor Mussolini paid a courtesy visit to the Yugoslavian frontier and exchanged friendly greetings with a Yugoslav regiment. LABOUR BODIES. INTERNATIONAL MEETING CALLED. (Recd This Day, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The National Council of Labour is inviting the French Socialist Party, French trades unions, the Labour and Socialist International and the International Federation of Trades Unions to consult with the council at the earliest opportunity. It is understood that the meeting possibly will take place in London tomorrow.