UNDER PRESSURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1938, Page 7

UNDER PRESSURE

CZECHS ACCEPT ANGLO-FRENCH PROPOSALS Strong Protest Made in Official Statement PROVISIONAL MORATORIUM DECREED By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 21. It is officially stated that the Anglo-French proposals have been accepted. A communique states that the Czech Government is forced, under irresistible pressure by both the British and French Governments, to accept with pain the proposals elaborated in London. Crowds gathered in the streets shouting: “Long Live the Republic! Long Live Crechoslcvakia!” There were extra police at all strategic points in the city.. The Stock Exchange has suspended trading indefinitely. The foreign exchange market remains open. A provisional moratorium has been decreed for banks and private insurance companies, effective immediately. Banks are not obliged to pay their current account creditors more than three per cent, of their assets monthly. GERMAN THREATS. ARMIES READY TO MARCH TODAY. NO TIME ALLOWED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. LONDON, September 21. The British United Prese states that, the French Ministry in Prague has informed the Paris Foreign Office that the Czech Government has accepted the plan. It is understood that it was only accepted after the Cabinet had received a third demarche from France and Britain. It is unofficially learned that the German armies were ready to march on the evening of September 22. Meanwhile, the correspondent of the “Daily Mail” at Godesberg says that high German, officials declare that no time can be allowed for further discussion or reflection on the Anglo-French plan. They state that Herr Hitler will not wait more than a week before resorting to independent and forcible action against Prague. Preparations have been completed and the lateness of the season makes further delay impossible. IN EVENT OF ATTACK. .CZECHOSLOVAKIA SEEKS PROMISE OF AID. BITTER FEELIN GS IN PRAGUE. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 21. The Exchange Telegraph Company’s Prague correspondent says a Note advising acceptance of the proposals will be handed to the French and British Ministers, with an addition as follows, “In accept- ! ing the plan, the Government stipulates that if Czechoslovakia is I attacked nevertheless, France and Britain will come to her aid”

The correspondent of “The Times” at Prague says that the bitterness of Czech feeling, even among those who are disposed to accept the plan, is based on a feeling that the western Powers had too long led them up the wrong street. All circles are asking why western opinion has so suddenly and strongly swung against them after years of praise for Czechoslovakia as being a model democracy. The “News Chronicle’s” special correspondent in Berlin claims that there is good authority for stating that Herr Hitler will tomorrow present Mr Chamberlain with a new map of Europe and insist on the western Powers’ acceptance of, in effect, the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. Final plans were completed at Berchtesgaden yesterday for reducing Czechoslovakia to a mere island around Prague. MENACING NEWS GERMAN DIVISIONS READY TO CROSS FRONTIER BERLIN AND UNITED FRONT OF MINORITIES PARIS, September 21. The Press gives great prominence today to reports of menacing news from Germany indicating an encirclement of Czechoslovakia by German arms. It is stated that there are now 25 divisions ready to penetrate Czechoslovakia if no peace settlement is reached. The “Petit Journal” says: “We believe that Hitler at Godesberg will be spokesman not only of the.Sudetens, but also of other minorities in Czechoslovakia. It appears that a united iront has been formed by Berlin, Budapest and Warsaw. MASS MIGRATION MANY SUDETENS GOING TO GERMANY LONDON, September 21. Reuter’s correspondent at Asch reports a mass migration of Sudeten youth to Germany to join the Sudeten Volunteer Corps. OBSTACLE PASSED HITLER ON THE “SURRENDER” GODESBERG, September 21. Germany is stated to be most satisfied with Prague’s reply, but it is emphasised that the Anglo-French plan must still be accepted. Hitler pointed out, however, that the vital obstacle was passed with the surrender of .England and France. It is con - sidered that their concession is so great that "it is not possible for Hitler to force further ones even if he desires to.” It is stated that Mr Chamberlain’s visit is now a pleasant social call. Warsaw newspapers state that the Polish demarches to England and France had the character of an ultimatum demanding the return of Teschen and Silesia. DISPLAY OF FORCE RESERVISTS KEPT WITH COLOURS

(Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) WARSAW, September 21. It is officially announced that the military class, due for release yesterday, now remain with the colours.

MR EDEN’S PROTEST

RETREAT THAT INTENSIFIES ' CONFUSION SITUATION FAR WORSE THAN IT WAS. STAND THAT MUST BE MADE. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 21. Mr Anthony Eden, in a speech to the English-Speaking Union,, said: “The conviction is growing that continued retreat will only lead to ever-widening confusion. The British people know a stand must be made and they pray that it be not made too late. There is no Englishman or American who is not moved by the use or threat of force by a big nation against a small one. The situation is far 'worse than it was six months ago and it is steadily deteriorating. Some believe that if the immediate issues can be resolved without force, the ambitions of all European Power? will be largely met, thus ending the crisis. I cannot find justification for such hopes. I repeat the view I expressed in June, that appeasement must not be at the expense either of our vital interests or of our national reputation for a sense of fair dealing.” Declaring that the settlement would be neither real nor lasting at such a price, and would merely make real appeasement more difficult, Mr Eden continued: —“There must always be a point where Britain must clearly make a stand, when otherwise she would forfeit her own self-respect and the respect of others. Even if the present dangers can be evaded, there must be dangers arising because of the appetites whetted, because force has prevailed, and law and order have recede ! into the background. If such a situation were, to endure, it would become intolerable. It is even now infinitely perilous. The truth is that each recurrent crisis brings us nearer to war. Under such conditions, the best for which the world can hope is an uncertain peace, with soaring armaments and shrinking trade, leading ultimate!?/ io war or general disintegration.” POLAND & HUNGARY REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO BRITAIN MORE ABOUT MINORITY CLAIMS (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 21. The Press Association learns that the Polish and Hungarian Governments have notified the British Government that they desire the rights of their minorities in Czechoslovakia to be considered in any settlement which may follow the Anglo-French proposals for a settlement of the Sudeten Germna problem. OFFICIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.17 a.m.) RUGBY, September 21. Viscount Halifax informed the Polish and Hungarian representatives that note would be taken of their representations in reference to minority rights.