WORK IN PRAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1938, Page 9

WORK IN PRAGUE

LORD RUNCIMAN

APPRECIABLE EFFECT

SOLUTION THOUGHT NOT BEYOND REACH

(British Official Wifeless.) (Received August 26, 11.20 a.m.)

RUGBY, August 25. Mr. Ashton Watkin, the economic expert who is assisting Lord Runciman in his negotiations as mediator in the Sudeten dispute, gave the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, an account of Lord Runciman's work in Prague.

By its very.nature Lord Runciman's mission of conciliation was bound to take longer to show results £han if he had been called in to act as an arbitrator or had been engaged merely in preparing a report for submission in any "particular quarter. Nevertheless Press reports from Prague have shown that his mission, even in the present stage, has not been without appreciable effect.

It is understood that the impression which the two Ministers gained from Mr. Watkin is that an agreed and peaceful solution is not beyond the reach of wise statesmanship if that quality is forthcoming from both sides and from all the parties concerned. Britain has made it very clear that in its view such a settlement is essential not only in the interests of Czechslovakia and the Sudeten Germans, but in order to safeguard European peace. During recent weeks the dangers inherent in the present situation have become an increasing cause of pre-oc-cupation in London, where it is hoped that the critical juncture at which it stands will be seen by both sides to impose a responsibility for making a necessary contribution to agreement. Lord Halifax has returned to Yorkshire for his holiday, and Mr. Watkin will return to Prague at the end of the week.