P.M. Expounds British Plan

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1938, Page 7

P.M. Expounds British Plan

(Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 26. In a speech in the House of Commons in which he reviewed all salient points of the international situation, the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, described the British plan for aiding the successful conclusion of negotiations in progress between Czechoslovakia and Herr Henlein’s Sudeten German party, by means of an independent investigation and mediator, and announced Viscount Runciman’s acceptance of the invitation to fill this role. In later passages devoted to the Sudeten question, Mr Chamberlain said it was very difficult for the people of Britain to arrive at a just conclusion in the dispute between the Government in Prague and Herr Henlein’s party, and they would have preferred to leave the settlement to the two sides themselves. A Delicate Situation. Unfortunately, however, they had to recognise the presence of factors which might lead to a breach of peace, with incalculable consequences, if the matter were not handled boldly, and with a reasonable amount of expedition. Therefore, in accordance with their general policy, and in close association with France, the Government had done everything it could to facilitate a peaceful solution. The problem in one form or other had existed for centuries, and it would perhaps be unreasonable to expect it to be solved in a few short weeks.

It was not true that they had been hustling Czechoslovakia. On the contrary, their anxiety had been rather lest Prague should be too hasty in dealing with a situation of such delicacy, where it was so vital that the two sides should avoid reaching a position where no further give and take was possible. For example, Britain had urged Czechoslovakia to submit its proposals to Herr Henlein before presenting them to the Parliament at Prague, because an agreed settlement between Czechoslovakia and Herr Henlein v/ould be the best solution. Recent Developments. Mr Chamberlain then came on to developments of recent days. He said that hitherto Britain, while urging an agreed settlement, has abstained from suggestion -as to method, but, as time passed, it began to appear doubtful whether, without assistance from outside, an agreement would be reached. In these circumstances, Britain had been considering whether there was any way it could help to bring the negotiators together, and, in response to a request from Czechoslovakia, it agreed to the proposal that a person with necessary experience and quality should investigate this subject upon the spot, and endeavour, if need be, to suggest means for bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion. Independent Investigator. Such an investigator and mediator would, of course, be independent of Britain. In fact, he would be independent of all Governments, and would act only in his personal capacity. Mr Chamberlain continued: "I cannot be certain that a proposal of this kind will necessarily bring a solution, but I think it might have two valuable results. First of all, I think it will go far to inform public opinion generally as to the real facts of the case, and, secondly. I hope it may show that issues, which hitherto appeared untractable, may prove, under the influence of