GREAT WELCOME BY CROWDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 10

GREAT WELCOME BY CROWDS

v Peace In Our Time"

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received October 1, noon.} LONDON, September 30. Mr. Chamberlain arrived from Munich at 5.40 p.m. Two hours before Mr. Chamberlain was due the roads to Heston Aerodrome were blocked with cars and pedestrians. A great crowd filled the enclosure. Notable people waiting at the airport included the High Commissioners for New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, Count Grandi, Italian Ambassador, and Herr Kordt and Baron yon Selzam, from the German Embassy. Despite heavy rain, children who lined the roadway outside the gates of the aerodrome waved flags.

The Earl of Clarendon handed a message to Mr. Chamberlain from the King as he stepped out of the aeroplane. Waving his hat enthusiastically, Mr. Chamberlain responded to thunderous cheers, in which the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, led the members of the Cabinet. Hastily-prepared banners, inscribed "Welcome," "Thanks," and "Well done" were displayed at the aerodrome.Jubilant crowds in the West End cheered and carried placards inscribed, "Long Live Chamberlain" and "Chamberlain the Peacemaker," almost bringing traffic in Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square to a standstill. It was a scene brimming over with patriotic thankfulness.

"There are only two things I want to say," said Mr. Chamberlain. "First, I have received an immense number of letters during these anxious days— letters of support, approval, and gratitude. I cannot tell you what an encouragement they have been to me. I want to thank the British people for what they have done. Next I want to say that the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem now achieved is only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. Herr Hitler and myself regard last night's agreement and the Anglo-Ger-man naval agreement as the symbolic desire of our two peoples never to go to war again." Holding up a paper, Mr. Chamberlain said, "Here is a document which bears the German Chancellor's name as well as mine. This morning I had another talk with Herr Hitler." AGREEMENT WITH FUHRER. Mr. Chahiberlain then re-read a communique which had been issued earlier dealing with his meeting with Herr Hitler today. He added: "We have resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method to be adopted to deal with any other question that may concern our two countries. We have determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference and thus contribute to ensuring peace in Europe." Mr. Chamberlain's speech was greeted with another outburst of cheering. Before the Prime Minister's car had gone a hundred yards the crowd broke through the police barriers and stopped it. For three minutes the crowd swarmed around the car, thumping the windows, cheering Mr. Chamberlain, and singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Cries of "Well done, Neville," and "God bless you" followed. Mounted police gradually .cleared the way, but for the first mile from the airport the car was able to move only at a snail's pace. AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Crowds waited for two hours in rain outside Buckingham Palace, where Mr. Chamberlain arrived at 6.50 p.m. He was taken to the private apartments and received by their Majesties. Ten minutes later their Majesties and Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain appeared on the balcony of the Palace. , The King motioned Mr. Chamberlain forward, and he stood in front while the enthusiasm of the crowd reached new heights. It Was probably the greatest welcome ever accorded to any visitor to the Palace. Earlier the crowd had broken through the police cordon and mobbed-his car in Victoria Street delaying his arrival at the Palace for nearly half an hour. The crowds sang "God Save the King" as their Majesties and Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain left the balcony, after which Mr. Chamberlain had a discussion with th*e King and left the Palace at 7.12 p.m.

The crowd in Whitehall was delirious with joy as the car appeared.

Speaking from a first-floor window of his residence, he said:—

"My good friends, this is the second time in our history that peace with honour has returned to Downing Street from Germany." He added amid thunderous cheering: "I believe it is peace in our time. We thank God from the bottom of our hearts." The crowd shouted, "We thank you. God bless you." Mr. Chamberlain, waving his hand, said: "Now I recommend you all to go home and sleep quietly in your beds."

ENTHUSIASM IN PARIS. A message from Paris stages that M.

Daladier's home-coming was comparable with Mr. Chamberlain's. It was described as the most enthusiastic scene since the Armistice. After a Cabinet meeting, which was held immediately upon M. Daladier's return, a communique was issued stating:— "President Lebrun, interpreting the feeling of the country, thanked M. Daladier for the enlightened vigilance, patriotism, and civic courage with which he discharged his grave and delicate mission and brought \it to a happy conclusion. Cabinet joined the President in congratulations to M. Daladier, who, in responding, asked that M. Bonnet (Foreign Minister) be included in the congratulations."

After approving the Munich agreement the French Cabinet decided to summon Parliament for October 4.

Hectic scenes were witnessed on the Bourse, the floor- being impassable owing to a mass of shouting humanity. Prices, which jumped by 10 to-30 per cent, yesterday, moved up still further.

The "Paris Soir" has opened a subscription list to buy Mr. Chamberlain a house in France to be named "Maison de la Paix," near a fishing .resort

M. Daladier, said: "Peace today is safe. I hope that once we have crossed the dangerous seas we shall be able to realise a general settlement of a great European problem. If this is obtainable it is due to the discipline, steadiness, and resolution of the people of France, who have not ceased to show the greatest sang froid. Let us remain a united, industrious, and strong people."

The French Cabinet has been called to discuss demobilisation.