CZECH OLIVE BRANCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1938, Page 7

CZECH OLIVE BRANCH

SUDETEN TERMS MET THE FINAL OFFER [BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, September 6. After over-night uncertainty regarding the Czech Government’s new proposals, early morning reports from Prague indicate that they are a supremely . important step towards appeasement. It is reliably stated that they grant the Sudetens’ Carlsbad demands almost in their entirety. It is believed that cantonal autonomy is being offered, with a generous freedom of administration, and also recognition of the Sudetens’ legal entity. However, the proposals refuse the last demand, namely that for liberty to profess and practise Nazism, which is regarded as incompatible with a democratic Central Government. A Cabinet communique describes the offer as “definite,” indicating that the Government will stand or fall by its latest concessions.

The Government is also reported to be firmly holding its ground on the question of the control of foreign policy. The easing of. the situation at the height of the crisis is believed to be the result of heavy pressure from Britain. The Prague correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says the tension eased perciptibly with the announcement of the Government’s preparation of a definite plan of settlement, which is decri'bed as the limit of its concessions. The proposals will be discussed today at separate meetings of the Czechs with a British mission and later with the Sudetens, after which it is expected that details will be disclosed. Herr Henlein curtly issued the following communique: “All reports go to show that the dispute can be settled only by a comprehensive and rapid realisation of the Carlsbad demands.” „ , Herr Henlein curtly issued the following communique: “All reports go to show that the dispute can be settled only by a comprehensive and rapid realisation of the Carlsbad demands.” The Prague correspondent of “The Times” registers the impression that this is akin to throwing down the gauntlet. Reuters correspondent at Prague reports the chief points of the Czech proposals as follow: — (1) Recognition of the territorial autonomy of the Sudeten region. (2) Recognition of full equality ot German as an official language in the Sudeten area. It is freely reported that the Sudetens have a regional system of government ready for the moment when their demands are attained.

SUDETEN GATHERING. (Recd. September 7, 11 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 6. The Sudeten Germans have decided to convene a party congress on the model of Nuremberg on October 15 and 16, at Aussig, 15 miles from the German frontier. All the leaders and 20,00 delegates will attend. Henlein has gone to Nuremberg, as the guest of honour. HENLEIN-HITLER TALK. (Recd. September 7,2 p.m.) NUREMBERG, September 6. Henlein arrived secretly and saw Hitler for a few minutes. FRENCH FRONTIER. (Recd. Sept. 7, 1 p.m.). PARIS. September 6. The Maginot Line is fully manned. The troops have discarded blue, and donned khaki campaign uniforms. Reports from Strasbourg, Nancy and Metz declare that the north-east frontier is calm, and there is no tension. LORD HALIFAX. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 6. Lord Halifax was again engaged, today, on an examination of the various aspects of the situation in Cential Europe, in which there has been no important change to-day. Sir N. Henderson left Berlin, tonight, for Nuremberg, to attend the Nazi rally.

MARKETS HOPEFUL. LONDON, September 6. Gold 144/25, dollar 482 J, franc 178 J. A more hopeful feeling about the international situation has imparted a firmer tone to stock markets. German and Czech bonds are higher. LATER. As the result of a firm lead from the Paris Bourse, sentiment in the city is more cheerful than for some ■time. A long list of rises was recorded on the Stock Exchange. BERLIN, September 6. The Bourse is again unsteady, being disturbed by the news of French precautions, and the feeling that the Czech situation is less easy.

NAZI CONGRESS HITLER’S PROUD CLAIM. (Recd. September 7, 8 a.m.) NUREMBERG. September 6. Hitler in a proclamation to the Nuremberg Congress read by the Fuh- % rer’s “Radio double.” Adolf Wagner, in the presence of 20.000 party delegates, did not mention the Sudetens. He seemed to indicate that the. keynote of the Congress will be a celebration of the year’s triumphs, notably the annexation of Austria., Hitler declared: I have no intention of concluding new pacts. I step before you, not with a. pact, but with seven new German provinces. He went on to welcome the Austrian delegates, “who for the first time are amongst us.” Hitler traced the growth of the Nazi party, and declaring that, the nation had neen cleared of parasites, and had begun the struggle against the greatest enemy threatening to destroy Germany—international Jewry. Tremendous armed forces protected the Reich by land, sea and air. The Nazis had succeeded in unfastening shackle after shackle of the peace treaties, which were intended to destroy Germany for all time. Hitler added: —English newspaper reports that I have a burning desire to conclude a pact with several nations

are false. We, at present, have only two economic worries, namely insufficient men trained for industry and insufficient for agricultural work. The proclamation glorified the courage and heroism o£ tlie common soldier, and contrasted it with the alleged cowardice of the leaders in the Great War. It declared that the attempt to rebuild Germany demanded the extermination of the old leaders. The establishment of the Nazi organisation in Ostmark (Austria) is complete. Unemployment will be completely overcome by the end of 1939. United Germany will continue to cling to principle, and will rather suffer restrictions than again depend on foreign countries for supplies. The security) of the nation must be placed before everything. The idea that Germany can be blocked can be abandoned, as a totally ineffectual weapon. We have been blessed with a good harvest, and have large reserves of grain which! free us for years ahead from food an-| xieties. Germany is deeply gratified, that another great world Power is acting on her own experience, and by its own decision, is practising the same anti-Jewish doctrine with admirable energy.

NATIONAL PRIZE WINNERS. (Received September 7, 2.30 p.m.) NUREMBERG, September 6. Dr. Goebbels announced the 1938 awards of the national prizes, instituted by Hitler, when he banned Germans from accepting Nobel prizes. The first prize goes to Doctor Fritz Todt, constructor of the new, motor roads. The second to Doctor Ferdinand Porsche, designer of the people’s car, and the third prize is shared between aeroplane constructors 1 , Messrs Schmidt and Professor Ernst Heinkel.

TRADES UNION CONGRESS RE-ARMAMENT SUPPORTED (Received September 6, 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. Sir W. Citrine, reporting to the Trades Union Congress on the negotiations with the Government over rearmament measures, said: Mr Chamberlain indicated that rapid and extensive rearmament is essential. He told us of Britain’s probable allies, and the capacity of potential aggressors, and made it clear from which quarter aggression is likely to come. It is common knowledge that, step by step, aggression is threatening from the Dictator States.

Sir W. Citrine expressed the opinion that the Government had badly misjudged the position, and the rapidity and extensiveness of German rearmament had apparently escaped notice. “The Government thought it 'was going to be allowed three years, in .which to re-equip ourselves,” he said. “Unfortunately there is every indication that the approach to a crisis l might take place much earlier. The unions told Mr Chamberlain that his foreign policy did not commend itself to them, and the nearer his policy came to collective security, the more likely he was to get a response from the unions.”

Sir W. Citrine deplored the view that there should be no collaboration with the Government. On the contrary, the general feeling of the Congress was that it was better to use its influence to control the Government, than to stand outside. A motion to refer back the rearmament section of the report was defeated overwhelmingly. YOUTH CONGRESS I BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 6. Five of the 60 members of the British delegation to the second Youth Congress, at Vassar College, New York State, have returned to London. The delegates were impressed with the proceedings of the Congress, at which 700 delegates from 54 countries attended, and which they regarded l as a tribute to the enthusiasm of young people from- democratic countries, for the building of peace. The delegates deplored the absence of any Nazi representatives from Germany, particularly as Von Schirasch . had declared 1938 to be a year of understanding for German youth. The Congress recommended that lours should be arranged, under the auspices of the World Youth Congress, to further friendship and peace throughout the world. BRITISH FLEET RUGBY, September 6. The Home Fleet ships will leave their home ports, to-day, for the usual Autumn exercise cruise in the North Sea. LONDON’S DEFENCE. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESB] RUGBY, September 6.

Sir C. Kingsley Wood inspected the balloon barrage squadrons at Kid*brook Park, Eltbam, Kent. The balloon barrage is intended to play an important part in the defence of London. from air attack. AUSTRALIA’S DAY OF PRAYER (Recd. Sept. 7, 1.30 p.m.). CANBERRA, September 7. Mr. Lyons announced that the Day of Prayer for Divine guidance in solving the world’s problems is fixed for next Sunday. All denominations have agreed to hold special services fo pray for peace and goodwill. Opening the Rotary Conference, Mr. Lyons declared he made no apology for standing foursquare with Britain in her efforts to preserve peace. He urged that there should be an exchange of goodwill messages between nations. '