FOR RESTRAINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 120, 24 May 1938, Page 7

FOR RESTRAINT.

BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Mr. Chamberlain Addresses

Commons.

POWERS WELCOME EFFORTS

British Official Wireless,

(Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, May 23. Following an interview between Mr. Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax and the leaders of the Opposition, identical statements were made in the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Mr. Chamberlain, in his statement in the House of Commons, outlined the sequence of events in Czechoslovakia and Germany from Mav 19.

''I propose first to give a very brief summary of the events of the past few days that have tended to show that the situation regarding German minorities in Czechoslovakia might be entering on a dangerous stage, and then to indicate the action taken by the British Govern-

nient. "On May 19 rumours began to gain currency of (Jernian troop movements in the direction of the Chechoslovakian frontier. The German Government informed the British Ambassador that there was no foundation for these rumours, and it gave similar assurance to the Czechoslovak Government.

Serious Incidents. "On May 20 a number of serious incidents occurred in Czechoslovakia. On the morning of May 21 the Czechoslovak Government intimated that it was calling up one class for training and maintaining order in frontier areas.

"On the same day an unfortunate i incident took place when two Sudeten Germans lost their lives. The Czechoslovak Foreign Minister informed the . German Minister of this incident and Itold him that disciplinary measures would be taken against those responsible.

"On May 21 the British Ambassador in Berlin received further assurances from the German Government that the stories of German troop movements were completely unfounded.

"On May 21 a formal invitation had been sent to Herr Henlein by the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister to negotiate on the nationality statute, which had been approved on May Itf by the Czechoslovak Government.

"It was announced, however, in the Sudeten Press that the political committee of the Sudeten German party decided to inform the Czechoslovak Prime Minister that the party was not in a position to discuss the nationality statute so long as peace and order in Sudeten districts, and, above all, constitutional rights and freedom of opinion of the Press and the Assembly were not guaranteed.

"I now learn," added Mr. Chamberlain, "that it has been arranged for Herr Henlein to see the Czechoslovak Prime Minister, Dr. Hodza, either to-night or tomorrow morning.

Britain's Main Concern. "In face of this situation the principal concern of the British Government has been to use all its influence, wherever it could be exerted, on the side of restraint in word»and deed, while keeping open the way to peaceful negotiation of a satisfactory settlement.

"With that object, it represented to the Czechoslovak Government the need of taking every precaution for avoidance of incidents and making every possible effort to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement by negotiations with representatives of the Sudeten party. In thiß the British Government enjoyed the full co-operation of the French Government.

"The Czechoslovak Government responded to this representation with the assurance that it appreciated the interest which the British Government manifested in this question, and is fully resolved to seek an early and complete solution.

"The British Government has represented to the German Government the urgent importance of reaching a settlement if European peace is to be preserved, and has expressed its earnest desire that the German Government would co-operate with it in facilitating an agreement. The British Government has, at the same time, informed the German Government of the advice tendered in Prague, and of the assurances received from the Czechoslovak Government.

Germany Welcomes Action by Britain. "The German Foreign Minister etated that he welcomed the efforts being made by the British Gover.nment, and the German Government fully shared the desire to see negotiations succeed.

"At the moment the situation appears to have somewhat eased, and I understand the elections passed off quietly yesterday wjthout any untoward incident."

When Mr. Chamberlain sat down, Mr. C. R. Attlee eaid: "It would be inadvisable to press the Prime Minister for any fuller statement in view of the tension there iB to-day, but I feel I may express the hope that these efforts to bring about a settlement may succeed without any deprivation of the just rights of Czechoslovakia."