THE WORLD BREATHES AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1938, Page 8

THE WORLD BREATHES AGAIN

While there is, at the time of writing, no strictly official news of a definite settlement of the Sudeten question at the Munich Four-Power Conference, which lasted on and off all through yesterday, there is every reason to believe, from the messages that have already arrived, that the danger of war has receded distinctly and the prospects of peace have greatly improved. The German spokesman is „ reported as having stated the position in these terms: "The Conference has agreed on the main essentials and only technical difficulties are outstanding." The first of the main essentials, in any event, would be to solve the Czechoslovakian problem without violence or bloodshed. One of the main difficulties was apparently to reconcile Herr Hitler's insistence on the entry of German troops into Sudetenland tomoiTow, October 1, with the technical task of evacuating the Czech troops from the same area in time to prevent any clash. This difficulty, according to the unofficial reports, which seem to bear the stamp of authenticity, is to be resolved by permitting the entry of German troops into Sudeten areas over the whole frontier, but not to any great depth. Over the rest of the disputed, but predominantly Sudeten territory a plebiscite is to be held under the control of British, French, and Italian troops. This will be the second phase of the settlement. When this has been concluded satisfactorily, a new frontier of the Czechoslovak Slate is to be drawn up, and this will be guaranteed by Germany as well as the other Powers concerned. With the reservation that this interpretation is unofficial, it may be accepted in the meantime as, with high .probability, embodying the main lines of a settlement which no doubt will take in the Polish and Hungarian claims similarly. However much one may regret this diminishment of the territories of the Czechoslovakian Republic as laid down in the Treaty of Versailles, it is obvious that some adjustment would, sooner or later, have to be made, unless the dominant majority in the State could reconcile their numerous and clamant minorities. It is the failure to do this, mentioned by Lord Runciman in his letter to Mr. Chamberlain on September 21, that has exposed Czech rule to the present attack. "I have much sympathy with the Sudeten case," stated Lord Runciman. "The Sudetens feel that little or no action has been taken to implement the Czechs' many promises." At the same time there is no suggestion that the Czech rule was "actively oppressive," in Lord Runciman's words, and it was "certainly not terroristic." Under the circumstances therefore any practicable settlement must concede some of the Sudeten demands. The final result, jucrged by the accounts forthcoming, is a compromise between extremes, and should be reasonably satisfactory both to the Sudetens and the Czechs. Above all it is a triumph for peace, in which the greatest credit is due to Mr. Chamberlain for his valiant efforts all through, supported loyally by the French Premier, M. Daladier, and materially advanced at the finish by Sigiior Mussolini, whose

intervention at the eleventh hour was of cardinal importance. The influence ;of President Roosevelt in his reasoned appeals for peace also weighed the balance in favour of a peaceful solution. While it cannot be said at the moment that all is safe and plain sailing, the change in the international atmosphere in the last twenty-four hours is almost miraculous. One thing stands 'out quite clearly on this occasion, and that is the universal horror on the part of the common people everywhere ""at the possibility of a resort to war. It is becoming evident that even dictators in the future must reckon with the influence of this feeling.