RELIEF ON BRINK OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 9

RELIEF ON BRINK OF WAR

DRAMA IN COMMONS Further Conference Announced BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND ITALY Mr. Chamberlain Cheered

With dramatic swiftness, when Europe appeared to be on the brink of war and feverish preparations were being made for the expiry of the German ultimatum to the Czechs, the crisis was once more eased during Mr. Neville Chamberlain's speech in the House of Commons with the announcement that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini had agreed to a conference with the British and French Premiers at Munich. A United Press Association message from London states that Mr. Chamberlain will leave for Munich at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow. A message from Rome states that Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano will travel to Munich by train. A Paris message says that the French, British, and Italian leaders are expected at Munich at noon tomorrow, and that the conference will begin at 3 p.m. The Australian Associated Press says that never in the history of the House of Commons has there been a scene similar to that when Mr. Chamberlain announced Herr Hitlers agreement to a four-Power conference. In tired and gloomy tones Mr. Chamberlain was reaching the end of his speech when a messenger was seen calling the Foreign Secretary from the Peers' Gallery, where he was alongside Earl Baldwin and the Duke of Kent. A few minutes later the messenger struggled through the crowded Bar of the House and handed a document to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who quickly glanced at it and passed it to Mr. Chamberlain, who was then outlining his last desperate approach to Signor Mussolini. Mr* Chamberlain halted a moment, drew himself up to his full height, and in ringing tones read Herr Hitler's agreement to a conference. Feeling in the House burst like a volcano. Members on all sides, Peers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, distinguished visitors, and pressmen, leaped upon their seats shouting, cheering, and crying. As the cheering subsided Mr. Chamberlain's voice was again heard. He was controlling himself with difficulty. It was obvious that the strain of the past few weeks had taken a sudden hold with the coming of a sense of relief. The muscles of his face were twitching as, in scarcely audible tones, he said: "No member of the House will not feel his heart leap that the crisis has once more been postponed. I hope the House will be prepared to release me now to go and see what I can make of this last effort." A solitary "Aye" expressed the agreement of the House. Blr. Chamberlain was smiling when he left the House of Commons for Downing Street. He was greeted with cheers from the crowd waiting in Whitehall, and he called to them: "It's all right this time." Queen Mary, who was present in the House of Commons with the Duchess of Kent, left the House in tears. There were delirious cheers for her, as there were for every official car. rc^ before the closing of the Stock Exchange. • With Signor Mussolini already en route, and M. Daladier flying from Paris and Mr. Chamberlain f rom Heston tomorrovy morning, Munich, the birthplace of Nazism, becomes the latest of Europe's quickchanging scenes in the quest for peace. Three of the four negotiators having served in the ranks in the Great War, and the fourth having most eloquently demonstrated his desire to prevent war, it is felt that peace should be the outcome. While relief in France and Italy is undisguised, German official circles, though expressing the hope that the conference will be successful, maintain reserve, as is shown in tonight's issue of the "Diplomatische Korrespondenz," which reiterates the demand for a speedy decision. While Mr. Chamberlain arid M. Daladier are in the air Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving will be sung in Westminster Cathedral in the presence of Cardinal Hinsley. Reuters' diplomatic correspondent says that he learned authoritatively that Czechoslovakia has suggested in a Note to Mr. Chamberlain that she shall be represented by a spokesman at the Munich conference. The French Premier, M. Daladier, in a broadcast to the nation, announced his acceptance of the invitation to the conference. "The task ahead of me," he said, "is still difficult. You will understand that I cannot say muchjiow, except that since the beginning I have not for one minute ceased to work for the supreme aim of the preservation of peace and the security of France and the world. Tomorrow I will continue my task."