WITH RESERVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 202, 28 August 1939, Page 9

WITH RESERVE.

ADVICE TO PUBLIC. Speculation Regarding Hitler Proposals. INSPIRED INTERPRETATIONS. British Official Wireless. EL(!BV, August 27. _ Sir Xe\ ile Henderson .s decision to give a personal account to Lord Halifax of his long- talk with Herr Hitler it lasted well over an hour, but there was no second interview as is erroneously stated in some reports— clearly indicates his opinion that what the Chancellor had to say was of considerable importance.

Official quarters in Loudon have given no indication of what passed between .Sir Xevile and Heir Hitler. Speculation is discouraged, and it is stated regarding the article emanating from Berlin which appeared in a London newspaper that the description it purported to jiive of the interview was totally devoid of foundation. The Press and unofficial comment makes the assumption, founded on reports from Berlin, that the Ambassador brought suggestions for a settlement by negotiation, and while even more optimistic, do not fro so far as to hope that Herr Hitler's immediate proposals would be such as the British Government would feel able to transmit to Poland. Some find encouragement in the fact that the Xazis would appear to have moved from the position that their claims on behalf of Germany against Poland cannot be made the subject of discussion or compromise. Report to Cabinet. The Cabinet met last night to receive a report from Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax on yesterday's developments in the international situation, and the report from .Sir Xevile Henderson of his interview with Herr Hitler.

Inspired interpretations or more or less imaginary reconstructions of what passed between Sir Nevile Henderson and Herr Hitler should be treated with the greatest scepticism. There are obviously interested quarters with much to gain at the present moment in putting about accounts of the meeting which reflect on the position taken up by either or both parties.

What can be stated with confidence is that Sir Nevile Henderson himself was not armed with any instructions such as would have enabled him to discuss any suggestion on behalf of the British Government. Whatever communication Sir Nevile brought with him is certain to receive the most serious attention of the British Government, which has coupled every reiteration in recent days of its firmness in reacting to aggression with the renewal of its advocacy of peaceful solutions, and which has been at pains to display the sympathy and appreciation with which it is watching the efforts of King Leoj>old of Belgium, acting for the Oslo Powers, of the Pope and of President Roosevelt, to rally the strength of reason and the moral authority of mankind against the possibility of war. VIEW OF AUSTRALIA. Every Effort To Secure Peac By Negotiation. LOYALTY REAFFIRMED. (Received 12.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, this day. The Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, said that the view of the Commonwealth Government on the international situation had been placed before Mr. Chamberlain. It is authoritatively stated that the Commonwealth Government has expressed the view that every effort should be made to achieve a settlement by negotiation, but if Britain were forced into war Australia would stand with her. Although official cables received by Federal Ministers at -the week-end presented a brighter view of the international situation,'defence measures have been intensified as a precautionary measure. Cables have been sent recalling to Australia the first naval member, Sir Ragnar Colvin; the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Laverack; and the Adjutant-General, Ge4onel E.K. Smart.