BRITISH NOTE TO HITLER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22518, 28 September 1938, Page 12

BRITISH NOTE TO HITLER

PEACEFUL METHODS

URGED

STRONG TONE TAKEN BY

MR CHAMBERLAIN COHITED PBk-SS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) ’ (Received September 27, 8 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. The political correspondent of the “News-Chronicle” says Mr Chamberlain’s letter to Herr Hitler yesterday pointed out firmly that the German plan was not acceptable to France or Britain. It added that the difference in method between the German and the British and French plan should be settled peacefully and not by warlike means. It suggested that Germany discuss direct with the Czechs the method of transferring Sudetenland to Germany. The letter was strong, in keeping with the French and British decisions in the previous 24 hours to honour their respective obligations. These are, first, that France will aid Czechoslovakia if invaded, and second, that Britain will aid France if French security is menaced as a result of the assistance given to Czechoslovakia. The German Foreign Office was not represented when Sir Horace Wilson arrived in Berlin to present the letter to Herr Hitler. He and the British Ambassador (Sir Nevile Henderson) drove to the Embassy. Sir Horace met Herr Hitler at the Chancellery at 5 p.m., and stayed only 40 minutes. Reuters Berlin correspondent says that Sir Horace will return to London to-day. with Herr Hitler’s reply to Mr Chamberlain. GERMAN HOPES FOR PEACE Comment on herr hitler’s speech (Received September 28, 2 a.m.) BERLIN, September 27. The German press makes no reference to Mr Chamberlain’s early morning appeal or the statement of French, British, and Russian solidarity. Comment is devoted entirely to Herr Hitler’s speech on the Godesberg memorandum, which has caused the public to hope and believe that the problem will be solved peacefully on October 1. This hope is based on Herr Hitler's statement that Germany Is concerned only with the Sudetens. A Budapest message says semiofficial quarters firmly expect a peaceful solution.

CO-OPERATION OF DOMINIONS I HIGH COMMISSIONERS INTERVIEWED AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY’S ATTITUDE (Received September 27, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. The Dominion High Commissioners had an interview with Mr Chamberlain.

The King gave an audience to Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor-Gen-eral of Cahada. A message from Ottawa states that the Cabinet is remaining in session.

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King) has , promised immediately to call an emergency Session of Parliament, if necessary.

A message from Canberra states that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. Curtin) announced the Federal Labour Party’s attitude to a War as:

“Concentration on Australia’s own defence and no participation Ift any European war.” Mr Curtin said: “Our security may be more menaced than hitherto. Therefore, our whole resources must be available for our own defence. “This means clearly and unequivocally that whatever else we may do as a Dominion of the British Commonwealth of Nations no men must be sent out of Australia to participate in another war overseas.” (For later news see Stop Press Column on Page 1.)