ISSUES AT STAKE IN EUROPEAN CRISIS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 11

ISSUES AT STAKE IN EUROPEAN CRISIS

Publication of British and French Proposals GERMAN MEMORANDUM UNACCEPTABLE IN PARIS War Preparations Continue Rapidly In Czechoslovakia The issues at stake in the Gzechoslovakian crisis have been more clearly revealed by the announcement of the hitherto unpublished British and French proposals, which were accepted last week by the Czech Government, and the release of the full text of the memorandum submitted by Herr Hitler to Mr Chamberlain. The French Government, it is reported, has already signified to the British Cabinet its nonacceptance of the German memorandum, and although no official opinion has been expressed in Prague, a message received early this morning says "The Times" in its last edition announced the rejection of the proposals by the Czech Government. Reuters was then still without official news of the rejection.

An official statement issued in London disclaims the Czech contention that the general mobilisation was carried out with the advice and approval of Britain, as "not entirely in accordance with the facts."

The war preparations in Czechoslovakia, which are reported to have aroused furious indignation in Germany, continue at a rapid rate, and the civilian population is ready for any emergencies.

BRITISH VIEW STATED Czech Mobilisation Not "Advised" OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN LONDON (TOTTED PHESS ASSOCIATTOK—COPTBIGHT.) (Received September 26, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 26. It is officially stated from the Foreign Office that Britain informed the Czechs that Britain would not continue to take the. responsibility for advising the Czechs not to mobilise. The statement says: "The Czechs must consider that Czech mobilisation might precipitate action in other countries. The statement that the mobilisation was undertaken with the advice and approval of Britain is therefore not entirely in accordance with the facts."

CABINET MEETS EV LONDON

FRENCH MINISTERS ATTEND REPORTED OPPOSITION TO GERMAN PLAN tCXTTED PKESS ASSOCIATION —COPTBIGHT.) {Received September 26., 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 26. The French Prime Minister (M. Daladier), the Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet), and the Comman-der-in-Chief (General Gamelin), bringing documents and maps, arrived at Downing Street at 10.30 a.m., and were cheered by the waiting crowd. The Minister for the Co-ordina-tion of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip) and the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) earlier visited Mr Chamberlain, who also conferred with the Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer XSir John Simon). The Czech Ambassador (Dr. Jan G. Masaryk) called at the Foreign Office and delivered the Czech reply to( the Godesberg Plan. The Associated Press says that it is understood one point under consideration by Cabinet was whether any advice on Herr Hitler's latest de- j mands should be tendered to Prague, j to which Mr Chamberlain submitted the Godesberg Plan without comment. Prolonged discussions on this subject are understood to be caused partly by opposition by a group of which the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. DuffCooper), the Secretary of State for War (Mr L. Hore-Belisha) and the Secretary of State for land (Mr Walter Elliott) are most prominent, holding that a stronger line should be taken against Herr Hitler. France to Stand by Czechs 4fe" Cabinet rose at 1.50 p.m., and resumed at 3 p.m. Mr Chamberlain had lunch with the King at Buckingham Palace and the Cabinet meeting ended at 4.55 P-m.

The "Daily Mail" says that it is understood that M. Daladier brought a unanimous French declaration rejecting Herr Hitler's proposal, and also affirming France's determination to stand by Czechoslovakia. Cabinet, which reassembled a". 11.20 p.m. vesterday, was still in session at midnight. Its resumption "was interrupted by a conference attended by Mr Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, M. Daladier, and M. Bonnet. The "Daily Mail" states that after C conference with the French Minsters the British Government decided to co-operate with France in a firm attitude towards any possible forcible German intervention in Czechoslovakia.

The "Daily Mail" further states that Dr. Masaryk, presenting the Czech reply to Mr Chamberlain, ex- " Plained that Czechoslovakia was un-

able to accept the proposals, as they went far beyond the British and French suggestions. The Prague correspondent ot neuters says that the Government is sitting continuously considering Hitler's memorandum. M. Daladier Satisfied M. Daladier expressed satisfaction with the course of the talks. He added: "We are almost members of the British Cabinet. To-night everything proceeded quite normally, but owing to the lateness of the hour, it was decided to hold a further meeting in the morning." The Paris correspondent of ine Times" says that the Government has decided that the German memorandum is unacceptable. M. Daladier and M. Bonnet have conveyed this decision to the British Cabinet. Reuters correspondent at Berlin says that the British Ambassador (Sir Nevile Henderson) saw Herr von Ribbentrop, after which increased activity at the Chancellery and Foreign Office was noticeable. It was learned that the German Government was expecting important information from London regarding the attitude of Prague. The "Daily Telegraph" disclosed •that the Prague Government authorised the publication of Herr Hitler's memorandum. The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent says that the Czechs regard the proposals as wholly unacceptable. The correspondent says the same view was most vigorously expressed by the British Cabinet in the last 48 hours, it being conceded that it was for the Prague ment to express its views unhampered.

GERMAN TERMS REJECTED

REPORTED ACTION BY CZECHOSLOVAKIA (Received Sept. 27, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 26. A late paragraph inserted in the last edition of "The Times" states that the Czech Government has rejected the German -proposals. A reply, giving a variety of reasons for the rejection, was dispatched to Mr Chamberlain. However, at 10.30 a.m., Reuters was still without •official news of the rejection.

SOLIDARITY OF LITTLE ENTENTE

(Received September 26, 8.30 p.m.)

LONDON, September 26,

Czech diplomats in London state that the Rumanian and Jugoslav Ministers at Prague have reaffirmed the validity of the Little Entente Pact.

WAR NOT THOUGHT LIKELY VIEW EXPRESSED BY SIGNOR MUSSOLINI ROME, September 25. Signor Mussolini, speaking at Vicenza, said that he did not think war would be declared because of Czechoslovakia, which was one of the most paradoxical errors in mankind's history. He added that if other Powers continued to recall reserves or concentrate fleets. Italy would do likewise. . "It is universally recognised that the peace treaties of 1919 contained errors," he added. "What must be done in the face of mistakes? Make amends." A crowd of 100,000 here shouted twice, "Make amends." Speaking at Verona, Signor Mussolini said: "If war comes, Italy will not hesitate for a moment to participate. I cannot believe that Europe will set itself on fire to cook a rotten egg. There are still a few days to find a peaceful solution." DOMINIONS INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, September 25. j The High Commissioners for Australia, South Africa and Eire] were received by Mr Malcolm Mac-] Donald at the Dominions Office and were informed of tl\e latest developments in the situation. ———————— TESTED WATCHES. We have a very large stock of Reliable Roamer Lever Watches, Water Tight, Dust-proof. - Diamond Engagement' Rings. Best value in Christchurch. Inspejct Window. JONES and SONS, _ Jewellers, 278 High street, Christchurch.