LONDON SURPRISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 May 1938, Page 8

LONDON SURPRISED

HERR HENLEIN’S VISIT CONVERSATIONS STRICTLY PRIVATE SUDETEN-DEUTSCH PROBLEM [United Pres* Association-By Electric Telegraph f'opvrightl (Received 14th May. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON. 13th May. Herr Henlein’s visit surprised London. The P’oreign Office insisted that it was utterly unexpected, and it was j not anticipated that Herr Henlein would communicate with it. Herr Heni lein’s only statement was: "I am lcav- | ing London to-morrow and will prob- ! ably be returning shortly.” while Mr ! Winston Churchill, as host at the | luncheon party, stated: "We are mutj ual friends, and I thought that as Herr ' Henlein was coming to London it l would be a good thing to talk together ! about the Central European situation, i The conversations were strictly priI vate.” Herr Henlein afterwards visited Sir ! Norman Angel 1, a member of the j Council of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, accompanied by a | colleague. Sir Norman said: “The sitj uation is delicate. These matters should | be kept secret, but Herr Henlein will j be advised of the weight of public opinj ion in Britain.” i It is generally assumed that Herr Henlein, who is well liked here, has I undertaken the visit in connection with strengthening his hand in the negotiations for the settlement of the Sudeten-Deutsch problem. The visit undoubtedly cannot be dissociated from Sir Nevile Henderson's recent conversation with Herr Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, about the problem. This appears to have been so satisfactory that Sir Nevile is further calling on Herr Ribbentrop. who intimated that Germany welcomed Britain's mediatory action in Prague, and was anxious for a peaceful settlement. The Czechoslovakian Government is prepared to make considerable conccsj sions to Herr Henlein. who demands the determination and legal recognition of Sudenten-Deutsch with full self-gov-ernment and complete equality with the Czechs.