BRITISH CABINET

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1938, Page 5

BRITISH CABINET

A COMMUNIQUE Issued from downing street. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, ;• September 19. A communique from, No. 10 Downing Street, issued at 12,15 a.m., states: “After full discussions on the present international situation, representatives of France and Britain are in complete agreement on the policy to bo adopted - with a view to promoting a peaceful solution of the' Czechoslovakian question. “The two Governments hope that it will be thereafter possible to consider a more general settlement in the interests of European-peace.” 4

An official announcement from Paris states that th'e French Cabinet unanimously approved M. Daladier’s attitude in London and: the jptolicy agreed upon there. A plan'is beingisubmitted to Czechoslovakia and to Herr, Hitler which, it is believed, will comprise:— •' (1) The secession of parti? of the Sudeten German "territory to the Reich. 1 ’■ • " •

. (2) The establishment of cantons in the other Sudeten areas,‘ where the population will vote on the form of Government desired;

(3) Security guarantees from France, Britain and other Powers- ’ According to the diplomatic correspondent of the ' “Daily Herald” tb* British and French plan proposes the transference to Germany of all districts which’voted more than 75 per cent, for the Henlein Party at the recent municipal elections; Districts which voted less-than 75 per cent:, but more than 50 per cent., will lie given autonomy inside Czechoslovakia. . '

Hungarian l and Polish districts will he similarly treated.

The new Czech frontiers, will he guaranteed by the Great Powers and the' neighbouring States, thereby releasing Czechoslovakia from her French and'Soviet alliances. . 1 ; / FRENCH MINISTERS. > CONFER IN LONDON. V" LONDON, -September 19. The French Prime Minister CM. Daladier)'and the French Foreign Minister (M. Georges .Bonnet - ) arrived in London by .air, on Saturday and began a conference with the British Ministers.

1 A. conference between M. Daladier ' and M. Bonnet and Mr! Chamberlain, Lord Halifax. Sir John Simon, and Sir Samuel Hoare and variodS officials adjourned at 7:40 p;m. ■'

The talks broke lip eight minutes after midnight. The conference had lasted for eight hours 20 minutes. ]if. ■ Daladier and M. Bonnet left Croydon at 8.2 Q a.m. for'Paris "While the conference sat, motorcyclists carried dispatches to the King at-j the Royal Lodge at Windsor. ' It. is felt that the week beginning ton-morrow may well prove-more fateful than its predecessors. •-u It is reported in Paris l that there is some difference of opinion in Cabinet and public opinion deciding how far France is prepared to risk war to prevent Germany, but it is regarded as.-fairly certain that Cabinet; as at present composed, will not consent to a plebiscite controlled by,the Nazi local authorities with an international police force to maintain order. -

The Czechoslovakian Ministers in j London and Paris.’(have notified the British and French Governments that Czechoslovakia takes it for granted ' that she will be consulted 1 before any J decisions are arrived at, otherwise sfis cannot accept responsibility for them. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the “Observer,” declares that if Germany attacks Czechoslovakia without i respect j of; non-German interests,; and,France is forced to support,, Czechoslovakia, there will be a world war,in ,which the British Empire will unhesitatingly be engaged to r the death, , BRITISH LABOUR INVITATION. TO FRENCH SOCIALIST PARTY. (Received this day at? 1.5 p.m.) ( ... LONDON, 'September 19. The National Council of Labour is inviting, the 1 French Socialist Party, the French Trades Union of Labour, and the Socialist International and International Federation of Trades Unions to consult with the Council at, the earliest opportunity. It is understood that the meeting will possibly be in London on September 20. IN AGREEMENT. (Received this day'at 1,5p.m.) LONDON, September 19. Tlip: Australian Associated Press says Cabinet after two hours discussion, approved at midnight of the Bri-tish-French policy. No further meeting is arranged.

A neutralised country. ' ' keynote of plan. (Received this day at 1.5 p.rn.) • : GENEVA. September 19. The Swiss welcome the report of a neutralised guaranteed Czechoslovakia, wfiich forms the keynote of the Brl-tisli-Erench plan, -find . consider the establishment of three neutralised states Switzerland. ~Belgium, and Czechoslovakia, would v stabilise the European position and prevent an outbreak of war. •

It is felt in League circles that British statesmanship and French sacrifice has saved Europe from a conflict. GERMANS IN DARK. (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) BERLIN, September 19. Official circles appear completely in the dark over the outcome of the London Conference. The Foreign Office spokesman stated everything depends on the impending Hitler-Chamberlain meeting. CZECH OPINION. A GROSS BETRAYAL. (Received this day at 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. The Associated Press says Czech circles in London declare they did not believe- England and France were capable of “such a gross betrayal,” thus justifying Hitler’s contempt for democracies. It is undoubted that the public of England and France, with the imminence of war apparently removed, are disposed to withhold judgment until the. Anglo-French proposals are fully known. FRENCH PRESS SUPPORT. (Received this day at 1.45 p.m.) PARTS, September 19. T)i<, Social Party Trades Union has accepted British labour's invitation. The press < with one exception, supports the Anglo-French plan, and urges the Czechs to acquiesce. n Le Soir” attacks the agreement, and says if reports from London are true, France will, for the first time, have denounced her contractual obligations, and will for the first time, have consented to resign the French jiosition. GERMAN PRESS VIEWS. (Received this day at 1.4.5 p.m.) BERLIN, September 19. The press have expressed the opinion that the only menace now lies m Prague’s ohstinnney.