Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th., 1938. CHAMBERLAIN MISSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 September 1938, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th., 1938. CHAMBERLAIN MISSION.

T HE result of the ChamberlainHitler • interviews will not be available yet awhile, but much points to a successful issue for the British Prime Minister’s mission. He had a pleasant journey and a popular reception. Whether the latter was spontaneous or officially ordered, it suggests that there is no enmity in Germany towards Britain. There was no need to “protect” the British leader, the military escorts . being no more than the normal guard of honour, on such occasions. A good beginning, indeed!

Whatever the result of the Berchtesgaden talks, Mr. Chamberlain’s peace-effort has been enthusiastically welcomed in most parts of the world. The Empire is unanimous in approval, and the United States is reported to have been impressed by the daring of the move. The “New York Times” is usually pro-British, and its' comments, therefore, must be estimated accordingly, yet there would seem to be ground for believing that Anglo-U.S.A. relations will have been made even I

friendlier than before,’ by Air. Chamberlain’s unexpected venture. Italian welcome was to be expected, seeing that Italy has no desire for an Anglo-German conflict, in which, she would be involved. French co-operation was secured before the journey was decided upon, and if Russia is nonenthusiastic, she is not hostile. Disorders have already been reduced in the Sudeten area, and, generally, the immediate effect of Mr. Chamberlain’s effort is encouraging.

It is announced that he took with him no preconceived plan for a solution of the Czech-Sudeten problem, but doubtless he has formulated certain main principles. Any German illusion that he has come, prepared to sacrifice all for the sake of peace maintenance will soon be dispelled. If he is noted for his peace crusades, he is also the leader responsible for the British huge r.e-armament scheme. Mr. Chamberlain has journeyed to display goodwill, and he will expect reciprocity. It is realised that it will take may “talks” before an agreement is reached. The immediate task is to remove the menace of war, and to provide the opportunity for finding in an atmosphere of concord, some solution to the efenturies-old problem. A book recently published, outlining the life of Lord Odo Russell, who was British Ambassador in Berlin during the Bismarck era, tells how even in those days, when Austria ruled the disputed territory, the problem was acute. Lord Odo reported to Lord Derby, then Secretary of State, a conversation with General Moltke (May 2, 1875). To a. pointed question from Lord Odo, Moltke replied, “after some hesitation,” that “the German Government might be placed in a very awkward position by the growing desire of the German subjects of Austria to shake off the rule of the Magyar and the Slav and become subjects of the German Empire.” Two years later the British Ambassador reported that the view in Berlin was that “the acquisition of Bohemia and of the German province of Austria vmuld be seriously taken into consideration” if Austria were unfaithful to the German alliance, or even took a line independent of Berlin. The Anschluss and Sudeten problems "were present then to the mind of a German Chancellor, before Herr Hitler was born.