AT DOWNING ST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 11

AT DOWNING ST.

MINISTERS MEET.

Labour Leaders Request Confidential Report.

NO CZECH VIOLATION. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 16. Thousands in Whitehall cheered Mr. Chamberlain as he drove up to No. 10, where he was greeted by his wife on his return from Germany. The Labour leaders, Sir Walter Citrine, Mr. Herbert Morrison and Dr. Hugh Dalton requested Mr. Chamberlain at the earliest to give a confidential outline of the result of his visit. They propose to reaffirm to him that Labour will not permit violation of Czech integrity.

Mr. Chamberlain conferenced with Viscount Halifax, Sir John Simon and Sir Samuel Hoare immediately on his arrival at Downing Street. Lord Runeiman called at Mr. Chamberlain's request at 7 p.m.

The meeting broke up "without further discussions.

Mr. G. Ward Price, the epecial correspondent of the "Daily Mail," says in a dispatch from Berchtes;*aden: "I am able reliably to state that Herr Hitler made a full and emphatic statement on the lines of his Nuremberg speech, and communicated to Mr. Chamberlain some new facts. He impressed upon Mr. Chamberlain the necessity for a radical solution as eafr as possible, and indicated the lines of a possible settlement.

"In the meantime," the correspondent adds, "I understand the Reich has sent a stronjr Note to Prajjue threatening to arrest a number of Czechs in Germany and hold them as hostages against incidents."

Mr. Ward Price says the talks were no way a case of failure bv either side to discern the probability of finding common ground for agreed future action. On the contrary, the Germans are entirely satisfied with the conversations.

It is understood Herr Hitler reaffirmed his determination to stand by the Sudeten and that Mr. Chamberlain stressed Britain's desire for an equitable and peaceful settlement.

The correspondent of th« Chronicle" at Berchtesgaden *® e optimism of German official* u immense.