BEFORE THE MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1938, Page 9

BEFORE THE MEETING

BRITISH PRESS HOPES

SOLUTION OF OTHER PROBLEMS

ißrltisb Official Wireless.)

(Received September 30, 9 a.m.) RUGBY. September 29. Great hopes are expressed in the British Press that the council of four nations at Munich will find a just and peaceful solution which will rempve Czech fears and German grievances. "The Times" says: "The council have it in their power, if also in their will, to set Europe at last in the way of a timely and orderly reconstruction." The "Daily Mail" says: "If it succeeds in its main task none of the other dangerous problems confronting Europe should be unsoluble by the same means." The "News Chronicle" comments on the marshalling of those moral factors throughout the world which preceded Herr Hitler's invitation and which are ultimately decisive. It calls for a solution settling the matters in dispute by fair dealing and leaving Czechoslovakia, within its redrawn frontiers secure and adequately guaranteed. The "Daily Telegraph" says that what has yet to be known is whether it is more than a respite. "Peace that will stand the test of experience and the strain of realities cannot be founded on mere effusiveness. At the Munich conference Mr. Chamberlain will firmly adhere to what is essential in the reasonable conditions on which he has, to his honour, known how to insist at Godesberg, It is vain to ignore the fact that throughout this crisis all the concessions have come fx-om one side and all the exactions and provocations from the other. The respite now secured has naturally raised expectations that the Czechoslovakia question is about to be settled definitely and that the Munich conference will confirm and consolidate what has been so happily begun. The danger against which Mr. Chamberlain must be vigilant is that of loosening j what ought to be held fast. Already so much has been given away that there is little left to surrender if Czechoslovakia is to be left as a variable entity. All the hope and promise which the Munich conference holds out will be frustrated if such a settlement is reached as will result a few months hence in a revival of the present trouble." Tribute is paid in all newspaper comment to the part played by President Roosevelt in his second and moving appeal to Herr Hitler. It is agreed on all sides that Mr. Roosevelt has rendered Europe a very great service which will not soon be forgotten. Signor Mussolini's timely gesture on behalf of peace is also welcomed with the warmest appreciation. v