Throwing Down the Gauntlet

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 211, 7 September 1938, Page 5

Throwing Down the Gauntlet

“ Limit of Concession ” TENSION EASES PERCEPTIBLY United Press Association.—By Electrlo Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, Midnight. LONDON, Sept. 6. The Daily Mail’s Prague correspondent says the tension eased perceptibly with the announcement of the Government’s preparation of a definite plan for a settlement, which is described as the limit of concession.

The proposals will be discussed to-day at separate meetings of Czechs with the British mission and later with the Sudetens, after which it is expected the details will be disclosed. After the conference Herr Henlein issued a curt communique : ' ‘ All reports go to show that the dispute can be settled only by a comprehensive and rapicl realisation of the Carlsbad demands.

The Times’ Prague correspondent registers the impression that this is akin to throwing down the gauntlet. Renter’s Prague correspondent reports that the chief points in the Czech proposals are: Firstly, recognition of territorial autonomy in the Sudeten region; secondly, recognition of full equality status for Sudetens in the Czechoslovak State; thirdly, recognition of the equality of German as the official language in the Sudeten area. It is reported that the Sudetens have a regional system of government ready the moment their demands are attained. HERR HENLEIN AND MR. GW ATKIN CONFER VERY CONFIDENTIAL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 0. Mr. F. T. AsUton-Gwutkin, the foreign affairs expert who is assisting Lord Uuncimau in his negotiations as mediator in the Sudcteu dispute, met Ilerr Henlein, tho (Sudeten leader, at the latter’s residence at Asch yesterday to discuss development ol the Berchtesgaden interview between Herr Henlein and Herr Hitler. in view of the highly conlidential character of tho exchange of views no information is available as to what transpired. The Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, and his advisers nad before them in London to day a oriof confidential report received through tho British l.ega* tion in Prague (to which Mr. Gwatkin reported) of the Bunciman mission’s impression of tho results of Herr Henloin’s visit to Herr Hitler. This in (formation is being considered along ■.with other relevant factors.