FEARS OF WAR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 1 (Supplement)

FEARS OF WAR

Outcome of New German Demands

The European situation has become so much worse in the last week, chiefly because of n6w demands presented to the Czechs by Herr Hitler, that everybody is wondering whether the world is going to be plunged into another great war. At Godesberg, on the Rhine, Mr Chamberlain had his second meeting with Herr Hitler last Thursday. However, a hitch occurred after the first night, and although letters were exchanged, the conferenc'e did not proceed any further. Then it was announced that Mr Chamberlain was going back to England, and that the Czech Government had resigned. A new Czech Cabinet was formed, with a Czech army leader, General Syrovy, as Prime Minister. The mobilisation of the whole Czech army was ordered because, it was stated, Great Britain and France had told Czechoslovakia that they could no longer take the responsibility of advising the Czechs not to mobilise. It was later revealed that Herr Hitler had given to Mr Chamberlain, for sending to the Czechs, a new set of German demands, that went much further than the original plan. The demands were accompanied by a map showing the areas Germany wanted to take over. Into these German troops were to go immediately, to maintain order, and a vote of the people was to be taken later. The Czechs were given until October 1 to agree to this plan, but they rejected it because it meant, in effect, the complete breaking up of their country.