HERR HITLER ACCEPTS A FOUR-POWER CONFERENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 299, 29 September 1938, Page 5

HERR HITLER ACCEPTS A FOUR-POWER CONFERENCE

VITAL MEETING TO-DAY CHAMBERLAIN’S INVITATION EFFORT TO PRESERVE PEACE NEWS LEAVES QUEEN IN TEARS (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. The Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain) announced in the House of Commons that he is going to Munich to confer with Herr hitler, M. Daladier and Signor Mussolini. Mr Chamberlain will leave Heston at 8.30 a.m. to-morrow. It is reported from Rome that Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano (the Italian Foreign Minister) will travel to Munich by train at 6 p.m. A Paris telegram states that the French, British and Italian leaders are expected at Munich at noon to-morrow, the conference beginning at 3 p.m. A report from Berlin states: To the accompaniment of shouts of “Victory!” and “Heil, Hitler!” Herr Hitler left for Munich by special train. The German News Agency issued an official statement announcing that the conversations would begin in the forenoon, adding: “It is learned in well-informed quarters that the new proposals for a solution of the crisis will be submitted to-day by the British as well as the French Government. Mr Chamberlain offered to meet Herr Hitler again for a personal talk. Simultaneously Signor Mussolini offered his help in the search for an immediate solution of the Czechoslovak crisis. It does not admit of delay in view of German preparations. It demands immediate solution.”

HITLER’S REPLY.

line. They are only to preserve order. The plebiscite will be carried out with no outside influence, and Herr Hitler will abide by the result; and, finally, he will join in an international guarantee of the remainder of Czechoslovakia once the minorities questions are settled. These are all reassuring statements so far as they go. I have no hesitation in saying, after the personal contact I established with him, that he means* what he says. “The reflection which was uppermost in my mind when I read the letter was that once more differences and obscurities had been narrowed still further to a point when it is inconceivable that 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.” “I sent him the following personal message:

NEW LIMITATIONS INDICATED. ADDITIONAL. ASSURANCES. * PREMIER BELIEVES SINCERITY. STATEMENT IN THE COMMONS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. At the close of a long statement, Mr Chamberlain announced to the House of Commons that as a result of a new appeal for peace he had addressed last night to Herr' Hitler, the German Chancellor had to-day invited him to a meeting to-morrow at Munich, where he proposed to proceed, as would also Signor Mussolini and M. Daladier. After a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm, the House 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 the meeting tomorrow and dramatic new hopes ol peace it. raises, came in passages ol the Prime Minister’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, ho gent Sir Horace "Wilson to Berlin on Monday with a personal message to Herr Hitler for delivery before his speech at the Sports Palast. Mr Chamberlain said that the French Ministers had entirely approved this initiative. His letter had pointed out to Herr Hitler that reception of the German memorandum by the Czechoslovakian Government and the public opinion of the world had confirmed the expectations he had expressed at the meeting at Godesberg. New Proposal Made. The now proposal he made was that with a view to arriving at a settlement by negotiation there should be an immediate discussion between German and Czechoslovakian representatives and 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 HenHitler’s speech, in which he expressed disbelief in the intentions of the Czechoslovak Government to carry out their promises, Mr Chamberlain offered, on behalf of the British Goveinment, to guarantee those promises, and uext morning Sir Horace Wilson again saw Herr Hitler, whose view, bower er, remained unchanged. Therefore, on Mr Chamberlain’s instructions Si.r Horace Wilson repeated to Herr Hitler in precise terms that France would fulfil her obligations to Czechoslovakia in the event of attack upon the latter, and that should France become engaged in hostilities with Germany, the British Government would feel obliged to support her. Mr Chamberlain went on : u Now the story I have told the House brings us up to last night. About half-past twelve I received from Herr Hitler a reply to my letter sent by Sir Horace Wilson. Careful perusal of that indicates certain limitations which were not included in the memorandum 1 , and it also gives certain additional assurances. There is, for example, a definite statement that troops will not be moved beyond the red

“After reading your letter I feel certain you can get all essentials . without war and without delaiy. I am ready to come to Berlin myself at once to discuss arrangements for the transfer with you and' representatives of the Czech Government, together with thie representatilves 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 the promises are carried out fairly forthwith. As you know, I have stated publicly that we are prepared to see that they shall be carried out. I cannot believe you will take the responsibility of starting a world war which may end civilisation, for the sake of a few days’ delay in settling this longstanding problem.” At the same time I sent the following personal message to Signor Mussolini : i “I have to-day addressed a last appeal to Herr Hitler to abstain from force to settle the Sudeten problem, which I feel sure can be settled by a short discussion which would give the essential territory and protection for Sudetens and Czechs. I have offered to go at once to Berlin to discuss the arrangements with the 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 that you are willing to be represented and will urge him to agree to my proposal, which will keep all our peoples out of war.” VENUE OF THE CONFERENCE IN THE NEW NAZI BUILDING. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. The conference will be held in the Fuehrerhaus, the new Nazi building, which is richly decorated in the Nazi style of architecture, and was ceremoniously inaugurated by Signor Mussolini during his previous visit. HUNGARY NOT MOBILISED. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. The Hungarian Legation categorically denied rumours of mobilisation in Hungary.