SURVEY OF EVENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1938, Page 7

SURVEY OF EVENTS

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER’S OUTLINE PERSISTENT EFFORTS FOR PEACE MESSAGES TO HERR HITLER & MUSSOLINI. CONFERENCE AT LENGTH ARRANGED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, September 28. At the close of a long statement Mr Neville Chamberlain announced to the House of Commons that, as the result of a new appeal for peace he had addressed last night to Herr Hitler, the German Chancellor had today invited him to a meeting tomorrow at Munich, where he proposed to proceed, as would Signor Mussolini and M. Daladier. After a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm, the House of Commons adjourned until Monday, on Mr Chamberlain’s suggestion, to which the two Opposition Leaders brought their support in short speeches, the spirit of which was recognised in a renewed outburst of enthusiasm. The announcement of tomorrow’s meeting and the dramatic new hopes of peace it raises, came in passages of the Premier’s speech in which a long recital of the events of recent months was brought to the point where, as a

last effort to preserve peace, he had sent Sir Horace Wilson to Berlin on Monday with a personal message to Herr Hitler, for delivery before his speech at the Sports Palast. EXPECTATIONS CONFIRMED. Mr Chamberlain said the French ministers had entirely approved this initiative. His letter had pointed out to Herr Hitler that the reception of the German memorandum by the Czechoslovak Government and the public opinion of the vzorld had confirmed the expectations he had expressed at their last meeting at Godesberg. The new proposal he made was that, with a view to arriving at a settlement by negotiation, there should be an immediate discussion between German and Czechoslovak representatives in the presence of British representatives. Herr Hitler, however, expressed the view that he could not depart from the procedure of the Godesberg memorandum. On Monday night, after reading Herr Hitler’s speech in which he expressed his disbelief in the intentions of the Czechoslovak Government to carry out its promises, Mr Chamberlain offered, on behalf of the British Government, to guarantee those promises, and next morning Sir Horace Wilson again saw Herr Hitler, whose view, however, remained unchanged. Therefore, on Mr Chamberlain’s instructions, Sir Horace Wilson repeated to Herr Hitler in precise terms that France would fulfil her obligations to Czechoslovakia in the event of an attack upon the latter, and that should France become engaged in hostilities with Germany, the British Government would feel obliged to support her.

they could not be settled by negotiation. So strongly did I feel it, that I felt impelled to send once more a last appeal to the Chancellor.

COULD AGREE IN A WEEK “I sent him the following personal message:—“After reading your letter, I feel certain you can get all essentials without war and without delay. I am ready to come to Berlin myself at once to discuss arrangements for the transfer with you and representatives of th. Czech Government, together with representatives of France and Italy if you desire. I feel convinced we could reach an agreement in a week. However much you doubt the Prague Government's intentions, you cannot doubt the power of the British and French Governments to see that promises are carried out fairly forthwith. As you know, I have stated publicly that we are prepared to see that they shall he carried out. I cannot believe you will take the responsibility for starting a world war, which may end civilisation for the sake of a few days’ delay in settling this long standing problem.’’

At the same time, I sent the following personal message to Signor Mussolini: “I have today addressed my last appeal to Herr Hitler to abstain from the use of force to settle the Sudeten problem, which I feel sure can be settled by a short discussion which would give essential territory and protection for the Sudetens and the Czechs. I have offered to go at once to Berlin to discuss arrangements with German and Czech representatives, and if the Chancellor so desires, with representatives of Italy and France. I trust your Excellency will inform the German Chancellor you are willing to be represented, and will urge him to a'

to my proposal, which will keep all cur people out of war,”

INFERENCE

BRITAIN ALERT

STEADY FLOW OF RECRUITS. NAVAL & OTHER MEASURES. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. Prior to Mr Chamberlain’s speech there was a steady flow of young men to the recruiting offices in Whitehall. The mobilisation of the Fleet and the calling up of naval reservists has been accentuated. All men allocated to the submarine service have been ordered to proceed direct to the submarine establishment, Fort Blockhouse, at Gosport. The Air Ministry had announced that a number of planes would make daily flights over London, also the East and South coasts, for exercising the Observer Corps, Anti-Aircraft Corps and searchlight units. Hundreds of Germans resident in London are applying for naturalisation papers. The staff of New Zealand House has organised an air raid precaution gasproof shelter in the basement of the building. SUPREME AIM M. DALADIER BROADCASTS TO NATION. WORKING FOR PRESERVATION OF PEACE. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) PARIS, September 28. The Prime Minister, M. Daladier, in a broadcast to the. nation, announced his acceptance of the invitation to a conference, saying: “The task ahead of me is still difficult. You will understand that I cannot say much now, except that since the beginning I have not for one minute ceased to work for the supreme aim of preservation of peace and security fbr France and the world. Tomorrow I will continue the task.” NAZI ULTIMATUM DENIED BY GERMAN OFFICIAL NEWS A-tcNCY. FURTHER INFORMATION REFUSED LONDON. September 28. Reuters report that a denial of the German ultimatum to mobilise today if the Czechs refused Herr Hitler’s demands has been issued by the official German news agency. It is impossible to obtain further information. Most newspaper correspondents have left Berlin. GLOOMY SILENCE IN BERLIN EVACUATION OF RHINE DISTRICTS (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) BERLIN, September 28. As troops march through Berlin there is not the slightest sign of enthusiasm. The crowds are gloomily silent At Strasbourg- 80,000 out of 200,000 civilians have evacuated. Half the shops are closed, and the hotels are deserted. The refugees are headed for the. Cosges Mountains and inland towns.

NIZAM OF HYDERABAD RESOURCES AT BRITAIN’S DISPOSAL (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) SIMLA, September 28. The Nizam of Hyderabad, the ruler of the biggest Indian state, has telegraphed the Viceroy, placing his resources at the disposal of Britain. ADVISED TO LEAVE BRITISH SUBJECTS IN ITALY (Received This Day. 9.25 a.m.) ROME, September 28. The British consul has officially advised all British subjects to leave Italy.