Effort to Remove Grave Menace To European Peace

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 5

Effort to Remove Grave Menace To European Peace

(Received 8.30 a.m.) * RUGBY, July 27. -"(''HE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, IN ITS POLICY FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CZECHOSLOVAKIAN PROBLEM, HAD BUT ONE SINGLE PURPOSE IN MIND: THE NECESSITY FOR FINDING AN AGREED SOLUTION TO EASE WHAT WAS A GRAVE MENACE TO EUROPEAN PEACE, SAID THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, VISCOUNT HALIFAX, SPEAKING TODAY IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord Halifax said the Biitish Government, acting closely with France.-, had agreed, in response to a request f rorn Czechoslovakia, to send Viscount Runciman to Prague as mediator, and the Sudeten leaders had received the idea favourably. “I have made it quite plain to Lord Runciman that he is in no way acting on behalf of the Government, and that we shall have no responsibility for whatever suggestions he may make,” said Lord Halifax.

Referring to his talk with Captain Wiedemann, Herr Hitler’s envoy, last week, the Foreign Secretary said it was an opportunity of exchanging views on matters of common interest to both Governments. The effect of the conversations was to show that both nations were anxious to lose no opportunity of establishing better relations. He did not believe anyone today wanted war. As to Lord Runciman’s mission, if this work of mediation was to succeed the less there was of recrimination or threats in the press or elsewhere, the better, said Lord Halifax. Britain confidently counted on Germany to give similar advice where she might, with a view to avoiding a deadlock,. the consequences of which might be incalculable., ‘