EUROPE'S CHAOS SPREADS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 7

EUROPE'S CHAOS SPREADS

1 Premier And Hitler Meet

TALKS ADJOURNED

MOMENTOUS PARLEY TO CONTINUE TO-DAY

Leaders Sail On Rhine

(United Pre** Association.—Copyright.— Roc. 11 anl .)

LONDON, September 22

Mr Chamberlain took off from Heston for Cologne in a British Airways Jiner, piloted by Commanders E. C. L. Robinkon and U. D. King, at 10.48 this morning. A »f«»ngely silent crowd of 150 mustered at Downing Street to see Mr. Chamberlain off. One booed as he paused in his steps, smiling and others clapped. The German Charge d Affaires was the first to shake Mr. Chamberlain s hand at Heston. The French Ambassador, M. Corbin, conversed earnestly with Mr. Chamberlain, who was farewelled with a burst of cheering from the crowd of journalists and cameramen. Before leaving, Mr. Chamberlain made a farewell soeech, in which he said. A peaceful solution of the Czech problem is essential preliminary to a better understanding between the British and German peoples. That, in turn, is indispensable as the foundation of European peace, which we are aiming at. I hope my journey may open the way to this." Herr Hitler arrived at Godesberg at 10 a.m., accompanied by Herr von Ribbentrop, Dr. Goebbels, Herr Himmler and Herr Deitrich. The streets were lined with Storm Troopers, behind whom school children clustered, waving small flags. Crowds gathered at the station at sunrise for Herr Hitler's arrival, and 1000 Black Guards formed a cordon in the streets. Organised groups of singing girls prepared to welcome Mr. Chamberlain at 3 p.m. Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador, arrived at the Hotel Peterberger an hour earlier. Herr von Doernberg received him and both drove off to meet Mr. Chamberlain at Cologne, where he arrived at 12.27 p.m. and proceeded to Godesberg, reaching there at 1.50 p.m. About 5000 peopTe assembled at the aerodrome at Cologne and cheered Mr. Chamberlain as he emerged from the 'plane. He was welcomed by Herr von Ribbentrop, Sir Nevile Henderson, and the German Secretary of State, Herr von Weizsaecker. The Black Guards' Band played "God Save the King." and the commander, stepping smartly forward, announced the presence of a guard of honour. Mr. Chamberlain thanked him. The flight was one of the fastest on record. The 300-mile journey took 109 minutes, compared with the normal passenger schedule of 170 minutes. While Mr. Chamberlain was motoring from Cologne Black Guards drew a cordon of silence around Herr Hitler's hotel to enable him to sleep. Mr. Chamberlain went straight to his hotel, where a guard of honour was lined up. A decorated ferry boat carried Mr. Chamberlain across the river. Thousands lined the -banks and a hundred canoes clustered around the ferry. Mr. Chamberlain drove to the Hotel Dresden and found Herr Hitler waiting. Negotiations began at 4 p.m., Herr Hitler and Mr. Chamberlain conferring alone, except for the presence of an interpreter. Dr. Schmidt. Mr. Chamberlain left Herr Hitler's hotel at 4.45 p.m.

The talka will continue to-morrow,