EUROPEAN CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 23059, 10 September 1938, Page 17

EUROPEAN CRISIS

Situation Very Delicate Britain Considering Note to Berlin Warning Against Precipitate Action Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 10 a.m.) The Australian Associated Press says official circles emphasise that the situation is very delicate. It is understood that Mr Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, and Sir John Simon are now considering the despatch of a Note to Berlin prior to Monday s meeting of Cabinet, thus fully acquainting Herr Hitler before his final Nuremberg speech of the consequences of precipitate action. It is understood that this is the outcome of Herr von Ribbentrop’s attitude to Sir Nevile Henderson, which is regarded as not being helpful.

IN BERLIN BRITISH AMRASSADOR CONFERS WITH GERMAN MINISTER NUREMBERG, September 9. (Received September 10, at 11 a.m.) Sir Nevile Henderson conferred with Herr vpn Ribbentrop,. after which Herr von Ribbentrop in'ormed Herr Hitler of the result of the conversations. Herr Hitler also conferred with the Sudeten leaders. CONFERENCE DENIED SIR NEVILE HENDERSON AND HERR HITLER LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 10 a.m.) Herr Hitler’s adjutant denies the report of a conference between Sir Nevile Henderson and Herr Hitler. Am exchange declares that its authority was the German Foreign Office. BRITAIN’S EARNEST PREOCCUPATION CONTINUED DELAY IN CONCILIA' TION : SUDETENS WANT INCIDENTS •• LIQUIDATED " (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 9. (Received September 10, at noon.) There was again evidence to-day of the deep preoccupation of Britain with the critical potentialities of the situation in Central Europe. Mr Chamberlain has invited Mr Attlee to see him to-morrow. To-day Mr Chamberlain, Sir John Simon, and Lord Halifax again discussed the situation, when Lord Caclogan and Sir Robert Vansittart were present. The speculation arising from the full and earnest consideration which Mr Chamberlain and his colleagues—fully conscious of the responsibility which devolves on all Governments at a time when issues of the greatest moment for Europe and the world are in the balance—are giving to every aspect of the situation is that Britain and France are, of course, keeping in close and constant touch. Mr Chamberlain, Sir John Simon, and Lord Halifax will bo in a position fully to inform their colleagues at Monday’s Cabinet meeting. , In the meantime the prospects of progress and conciliation in Prague continue to be delayed by the refusal of the Sudetcns to resume negotiations following the Malirisch Ostrau incidents. ’ A Prague message reports confirmation from the Heulein Party’s headquarters of the decision to suspend negotiations until the incidents have been “ liquidated.” It can bo stated in this connection that the report of the independent investigator which reached official quarters here indicates that the inciden has been greatly exaggerated. No decision has yet been taken in connection with Mr Attlee’s letter requesting the immediate summoning ot Parliament. OFFENDING POLICE DEALT WITH CLEARING UP OF INCIDENT HOPED FOR CZECHS AGAINST THE CONCESSIONS PRAGUE, September 9. (Received September 10. at I p.m.) Details of the Czech’s nationality proposals, previously withheld from publication in Czechoslovakia, will be published to-morrow. Dr Denes is to justify the concessions granted broadcasting to tho nation to-morrow

therein. Opposition to them is increasingly strong among the Czechs. Dr Hodza informed the Sudetens that the Government has dismissed and arrested the police director at Mahrisch Ostrau. Similar action has been taken in the ease of the police officers accused of mishandling those arrested, and the policeman accused of striking a deputy with a whip. It is believed that this will clear up the incident, ~ DISAGREEABLE SUSPENSE CRITICAL WEEK-END EXPECTED HITLER SAID TO BE DEMANDING CARLSBAD POINTS LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 1.15 p.m.) ‘ The Times ’ says the meetings of Ministers leave no doubt cf the extremely serious view taken of the situation, indeed, there is no desire to officially disguise from the public that the crisis is coming to a head at the week-end, which is likely to be spent in disagreeable suspense. The Berlin correspondent of. 4 The Times’.says it is not too much to say that the hatred expressed by the Press against the Czechs could not be more bitter if the countries were warring. The Germans do not take it at its face value, or it would be difficult to restrain the masses from attacking the Czechs, whereas there is actually an earnest desire for peace and a fear of war. The * Daily Telegraph’s ’ Nuremberg correspondent says it is reliably stated that Herr Hitler, in the course of a private exchange of views with ’ high Government authorities, declared that the standpoint of the Carlsbad points must be accepted unconditionally by the Czechs and not merely met by counter-proposals. NEGOTIATIONS TO BE RESUMED PRAGUE, September 9. (Received September 10, at 11.5 a.m.) , After a two hours’ conference with Dr Hodza, Herr Kundt agreed that the negotiations would be resumed to-morrow. GERMANY WANTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at IF a.m.) The British United Press Berlin correspondent says according to well-in-formed German sources at Nuremberg Herr von Ribbentrop assured Sir Nevile Henderson that Germany desired a peaceful solution but insisted that the Czechs must assert their power to terminate terrorism of the Sudetens. FUNERAL OF ALLEGED SPY PROTEST BY SUDETENS LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 11 a.m.) The British United Press Prague correspondent says 5,000 Sudetens protested to the Jaegcrnforf police station against the authorities’ order for the private interment oi an alleged spy who committed suicide. A Sudeten deputy interceded and obtained a public funeral. SUDETEN MEMORANDUM PROTEST AGAINST ARRESTS PRAGUE, September u. (Received September 10, at 11 a.m.) Hon Kundt and Herr Rosche presented Dr lloilza with a memorandum regarding the arrests of Sudetens, alleged maltreatment, aud denial ot civil rights.

HITLER CONSIDERING PROBLEM TO MAKE SPEECH OH SEPTEMBER 12 NUREMBERG, September 9. (Received September 10, at 10.5 a.m.) Herr Hitler has cancelled to-day’s speech to the Nazi Women’s League in order to consider the Czechoslovakian problem. He has not yet decided the lines of his concluding speech on September 12, when he will deal with the problem. GERMANY’S “WEAKNESS” DISILLUSIONMENT PROMISED HERR HITLER CONFIDENT NUREMBERG, September 9. (Received September 10, at 1.30 p.m.) “ Those who believe and count on Germany’s weakness will ,be disillusioned,” declared Herr Hitler, addressing 180,000 Nazi officials. He added; “ Now that the horizon is clouded I am deeply happy to see around mo 1,000,000 party members.” Herr Hitler made no further reference to the international situation. It is stated that Germany’s bread and grain reserves are sufficient for two years. Frozen meat stores amount to 02,000 tons and the stores of animal and vegetable fats have been doubled. The loader of the Labour Corps announced that Herr Hitler ordered the strength of the women’s section to be raised to 50,000. NO MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AWAITING GLUE TO HITLER’S POLICY GERMANY MAGNIFYING SUDETEN INCIDENTS LONDON, September 9. There is no diminution of the crisis, though major developments, either better or worse, are unlikely until early next week, by which time Herr Hitler is expected to have given a clue to his policy after being acquainted with the British attitude. A significant report .among late overnight despatches in the Czech situation and bearing on German readings to‘magnify every incident in Sudeten areas is one from the Berlin correspondent of 1 The Times.’ He says; “It is frankly admitted here that a grave incident would precipitate a final crisis. Germany could not disregard ‘ a cry for help ’ from the Sudetens. It is argued that even it the Reich went to their assistance it would only be intervention, not invasion, since Germany has no intention of attacking the 'Czechs, but merely protecting what she regards as her own. Why, then, should'France intervene? RUSSIA’S PROMISED KELP AGAINST FURTHER CZECH CONCESSIONS 3,000,000 TROOPS ON WESTERN FRONTIERS LONDON, September 9. The Prague correspondent of •The Times’ says: “The Russian Minister, M. Alexandrovski, jnformed Dr Krofta, the Czech Minister for Foreign Affairs, that Russia would not guarantee help if further concessions were made to the Sudetens. The Czech military authorities have been informed that 3,000,000 Russian troops are massed on the western frontiers, ready for instant action.” DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUDETEN AREAS SEVERAL CLASHES*WITH POLICE PRAGUE, September 9. Fresh demonstrations broke out in four towns in the Sudeten territory as the result of incidents with the police. Four thousand Krumauites shouted, “ We want union with Germany. One Reich, one people, one leader.” Sudetens allege that Czechs broke into their local centre at Deutscheshaus. Sudetens at Freiwaldau dragged an inspector from the station. Ho was rescued by comrades. The windows of the municipal buildings were broken. GDVERNMENT URGED TO REMAIN FIRM PRAGUE, September 9. Exchanges are recording further minor clashes between the police and Sudetens, and the newspapers ask: “ Are the incidents designed to demoralise the Czechs and lead the world to believe the situation is out of hand?” An increasing demand for tinned and other preserved goods reveals the Czech’s anxiety for the future. Deputations of peasants, civil servants, shopkeepers, and youth organisations continue to urge the Government to remain firm. It is believed that the Gorman minority is preparing week-end demonstrations, possibly dangerous incidents, including the funeral on Saturday of an alleged spy who committed suicide.