HITLER REPLIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 229, 28 September 1938, Page 12

HITLER REPLIES.

NOTE TO ROOSEVELT.

Peace Decision Rests With

Czech. Government.

SUDETEN ILL-TREATMENT.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 3 p.m.)

BEKLIX, September 27

Herr Hitler, in his reply to Mr. Roosevelt, assured the President of his appreciation of the latter's generous intentions.

"I share in every respect your opinion regarding the incalculable consequences of a European war. However, for this very reason I must decline responsibility on behalf of the German nation and its leadership should further developments, despite all my efforts, lead to hostilities," he states.

After a lengthy historical survey in which he said, "peace treaties imposed on Czechoslovakia far-reaching obligations to German groups, which have not been kept from the very beginning," Herr Hitler declared: "So far 214,000 Sudetens Jiave been compelled to leave their ancestral homes and take refuge in the Reich because they saw in it the only possibility of escaping Czech violence and sanguinary terrorism. Numberless dead, thousands injured, tens of thousands detained and imprisoned, and deserted villajrs are accusing witnesses of the outbreak of hostility already long apparent on the part of the Prague Government.

"Since the Czech Government previously agreed to the cession of Sudetenland terms, the German memorandum would pursue no other end than to bring about a rapid, certain and just fulfilment of the Czech promise."

Herr Hitler concluded by stating that he was convinced when Mr. Roosevelt pictured the development of the Sudeten problem, that he would recognise Germany had not lacked patience and a sincere desire for a peaceful understanding.

"It is not Germany's fault the Sudeten problem has grown to its present unbearable state. The terrible condition of the Sudetens makes delav of a

solution impossible. The possibilities of reaching a just regulation by agreement are therefore exhausted by the German memorandum.

"It does not lie with the German Government but with the Czech Government alone to decide whether they want peace or war."

IN THE DARK. German People Ignorant of World Reactions. CHANCES OF WAR EVEN. (Received 3 p.m.) BERLIN, September 27. The man in the street is kept completely in the dark as to world reactions. He is allowed to think simply that there is an even chance of a "little war" against the Czechs. The possibility of Britain, France and Russia joining in is not even considered. The Australian Associated Press understands, says a London message, that the British and French Governments have decided to act to acquaint the German public of the full facts of the Czech crisis. Official quarters are convinced that the ignorance of the German public has a great bearing on the present race to disaster.

All reference to the Czechs' conciliation is rigidly excluded from the German Press.

STAND BY CZECHS. ATTITUDE APPROVED. (Received 3 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. The British executive of the International Peace Campaign, with the approval of Viscount Cecil, passed a resolution welcoming the authoritative declaration that Britain will join other countries in resisting an, unprovoked aggression against Czechoslovakia. The executive was of the opinion that the best hope of maintaining peace lies in firm adherence to that policy. Further concessions to Herr Hitler are useless and dangerous.

| PREMIER'S STEPS. FRENCH CABINET APPROVAL. (Received 3 p.m.) PARIS, September 27. The Cabinet Council has approved of M. Daladierls exposition of the situation, which is reported to be "admirable in its clearness and firmness." The discussion of measures followed, especially with regard to help for evacuated civilians.