BRITISH APPEAL TO MUSSOLINI

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 230, 29 September 1938, Page 11

BRITISH APPEAL TO MUSSOLINI

History Of Events

PREMIER TELLS STORY IN HOUSE

STATESMANLIKE SPEECH

(British OiTuial Wirelase.—Rec. 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, September 28. Mr. Chamberlain, in his speech in the House of Commons, reviewed at length the chain of events following the CzechSudeten breach, and dealt with his visits to Berchtesgaden and Godesberg. He said he had no doubt his visit to Herr Hitler prevented an invasion of Czechoslovakia. The announcement of to-morrow's four-Power meeting and the dramatic new hopes of peace it raises came in the passages of his speech, in which a long recital of the events of recent months was brought to the point where, as a last effort to preserve peace, he sent Sir Horace Wilson to Berlin on Monday with a personal message to Herr Hitler for delivery before his speech at the Sportspalast. Mr. Chamberlain said the French Ministers had entirely approved this initiative. His letter had pointed out to Herr Hitler that the reception of the German memorandum by the Czecho- • slovak Government, and the public opinion of the world had confirmed the expectations he had expressed at their last meeting at Godesberg. The new proposal he made was that, with a view to arriving at a settlement by negotiation, there should be an immediate discussion between the German and Czechoslovak representatives, in the presence of the British representatives. Herr Hitler, however, expressed the view that he could not depart from the procedure of the Godesberg memorandum. British Guarantee Offered. On Monday night, after reading Herr Hitler's speech, in which he expressed disbelief in the intentions of the Czechoslovak Government to carry out its promises, Mr. Chamberlain offered, on behalf of the British Government, to guarantee those promises, and next morning Sir Horace Wilson again saw Herr Hitler, whose view, however, remained unchanged. Therefore, on Mr. Chamberlain's instructions, Sir Horace Wilson repeated to Herr Hitler, in precise terms, that France would fulfil her obligations to Czechoslovakia in the event of an attack upon the latter, and that should France become engaged in hostilities 'with Germany the British Government 'would feel obliged to support her. "Now the story I have told the House brings us up to last night. About half-past twelve I received from Herr Hitler a reply to my letter, sent by Sir Horace Wilson. A careful perusal of that indicates certain limitations which were not included in the memorandum, and it also gives certain additional assurances. "There is, for example, a definite statement that troops will not be moved beyond the red line. They are only to preserve order. The plebiscite will be carried out with no outside influence, and Herr Hitler will abide by the result, and, finally, he will join in an international guarantee of the remainder of Czecho-: Slovakia once the minorities questions are settled. Mr. Chamberlain's Last Appeal. "These are all reassuring statements as far as they go. I have no hesitation in saying, after the personal contact I established with him, that he means what he says. "The reflection which was uppermost in my mind when I read his letter to me was that once more differences and obscurities had been narrowed still further, to the point 'when it was inconceivable that they could not be settled by negotiation. So strongly did I feel it that I felt impelled to send' once more a last appeal to the Chancellor. I sent him the following personal message:— "After reading your letter I feel certain you can get • all essentials without war and without delay. I am ready to come to Berlin myself at once to discuss arrangements for the transfer with you and representatives of the CzechGovernment, together with representatives of France and Italy. If you desire, I feel convinced we could reach an agreement in a week. However much you doubt the Prague Government's intentions, you cannot doubt the power of the British and French Governments -to see the promises are carried out fairly forthwith. As you know, 1 have stated publicly that we are prepared to see that they shall be carried I, out. I cannot believe you will take the responsibility of starting a world war which may end civilisation for the -. sake of a few days' delay in settling this long-standing problem. Letter to Signor Mussolini. "At the same time I sent the following personal message to Signor Mussolini:— "I have to-day addressed a last appeal to Herr Hitler to abstain from force to settle the Sudeten problem, which I feel sure can be settled by a short discussion which would give essential territory and protection for Sudetens and Czechs. I have offered to go at once to Berlin to discuss arrangements with the German and Czech representatives, and, if the Chancellor so desires, with representatives of Italy and France. I trust Your Excellency will inform the German Chancellor you are willing to be represented an , * will urge him to agree to my proposal, which will keep all our peoples out of war. "In reply to my message to Signor Mussolini I was informed that instructions had been sent to the Italian Ambassador in Berlin to see Herr yon Ribbentrop and say that while Italy would fulfil completely her pledges to stand by Germany. Signor Mussolini hoped, in view of the great importance of the British Governments request, that Herr Hitler would see his way to postpone the action that the Chancellor had told Sir Horace Wilson would be taken at 2 p.m. to-day. Signor Mussolini asked for at least a 24-hour postponement, to enable him to re-examine the situation and find a peaceful settlement. Hitler Postpones Mobilisation. _ *~J err Hitler in response agreed to postpone mobilisation for 24 hours. (Loud cheers.) Whatever our past views about Signor Mussolini, I believe everyone will welcome his gesture." Mr. Chamberlain suggested that, in view of the new development, the debate might be adjourned for a few days, and then perhaps they would meet again, in happier circumstance*.