CZECH ALLEGATION OF SUDETEN PLOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 219, 16 September 1938, Page 9

CZECH ALLEGATION OF SUDETEN PLOT.

POLICE REPORTS. Attempt to Form New State Frustrated. SECRET TUNNELS FOUND. j United Press Association.—Copjright. (Received 12 noon.) LOXDOX, September 15. The British United Press correspondent at Prague reports that police allege that they frustrated a Sudeten plot to make Kger the capital of a State within a State. They discovered, he report?, a number of secret tunnels connecting Sudeten headquarters and hotels, and others a mile long for the purpose of bringing up reinforcements and facilitating escape. The official Press bureau at Prague I states that the incidents which have occurred since September 12 are all organised attacks against State executives and public buildings. The fact that the aggressors used machine-guns and hand grenades proves that the Government is justified in using emergencv measures. Berlin newspapers bitterly condemn events in Czechoslovakia. The '"Lokal Anzeiger" says that a Czech revolution has broken out and threatens Europe. Prague city is quiet, but there are long queues outside shops selling gas masks. A SENSATION. REACTION IN ILSJL Hailed as First Ray of Hope From Clouded Skies. CANDID PRESS COMMENT. United Press Association.—Copyright. NEW YORK, September 15. A sensation has been caused in the United States by Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Herr Hitler. Members of the foreign diplomatic corps and hi°-b. Government circle* are stirred profoundly by the bold plan for averting an explosion between Germany and Czechoslovakia. They hail it as the first ray of hope from the warclouded skies. Commenting on Mr. Chamberlain's decision, the "Xew York Times" says: "Any doubt that we live in times without precedent and are participants in a world drama of swift surprises inspired ;..- e *lrv.r«Kn»! 7 personal impnhe<:, U n-movii h- th«> w-.'h-decisif.i, <,f y, . i."h,in:h?r;--.»■ f o fly to Onn.mr to n.*',-:* * :„-."» s ';.r^ a ! to Htrr Hitler to ?avc ths ■•>.-:■:,; ir.-i-j war. "Tr< (he- Tiistir/ r-f relate,,-- it ha- nr-.',r I. •„,...,,,.,■ tof ore that, iu s .uh .•,r«,V : ..,,;iir,bP h«5 of a j.-,- c .-!t '>v ? rnmci:i ha, -one persori.,'lv v> make -yM in *p;,-aP. In the history of the British tmpire where a protocol is almost as important as a conviction of the supreme power which it frames, no Prime Minister has ever made a gesture so unconventional, so bold and, in a way, so humble. "In a startling and almost literal sense, Mahomet goes to the mountain. Either this dramatic impulse is a supreme stroke of imaginative statesmanship or a spectacular admission of desperation. Power of Third Reich. "Viewed as a recognition by Britain of the power of the Third Reich and its Leader-Chancellor, the journey of Mr. Chamberlain has almost incredible significance in the relations between the two Governments. If Mr. Chamberlain's mission should fail, the inimediate consequences cannot be predicted, but never will war guilt have been more firmly or more dramatically fixed. However, neither Britain nor the Europe which the British have dominated will ever be the same a^ain.

"Viewed as a final peace move and a supreme effort to save mankind from the horror of another war. it takes on the epic quality of a majrnifioent gamble for the highest stake in the world. Thus the world can only wait in the hope that it will not be played in vain."

TALKS SUCCEED? American Interpretation of Latest News. PRIME MINISTER'S RETURN. CRpfpirfd 2 p.m.) WASHINGTON', September 15. The historic conference between the Prime Minister and tlie Oeinian. ChanI f-ellor is nationally heinsr observed as | beinjr of the <rrente*t interest to all J nation*, which are deeply concerned about the preservation of peace Mr Cordell Hull. Se.-re.tary of State. i n a statement, but ], e declined 1o aynnlifv it. He said that he would wait f<.r President Roosevelt at the railwav station to nicrhl and immediately rorif.T with him at White Jfr.u^e. Offi.-ial \VH«hhiptnn i« -irntTv interested in the rnmyminique that Mr. ChamberlHin i« rf-turnin , .' t'o London f> - morrow to fonsillt the (>}.■, ;r • It is f-li here that tl,i- i,,-li.-a'.- th«t the ■ ■<.nver<ati.,iw wr. r ,. -~,.,.,....,,1 apparjCMitly pvmitti..- ~,,1,1-5-n r.:r, ; .,,- ;t ls' on ! W.iu-Ii tin. f* "I*= —11 '.'..■• .-|-li'i:prit r-an act. ! Ati'ither '■~•'•(■-' V_- H-',crt of Britain's |»i-iti>in mi ;!:•• I; ui'.jich ri situation is -i'i-i] in the ;iiniouiiceiiient that Britain (.htrfiiied arm. export licenses in August fi,m the Inited States, for 1,152.000 dollar?, chieflv for aeroplanes, marking the beginning" of » 400 'plane P nrehase - I Britain wa* the montli'* l«S««t pur chaaer *t anas.