SECRET VISIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 15

SECRET VISIT

SUDETEN LEADER FRIENDS IN BRITAIN HOPES OF SUPPORT VIOLENT DISPUTES CZECH PARLIAMENT By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received May 13, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON. May IS Herr Henlein, leader o£ the Sudeten Germans, le£t Prague for London to discuss the Czech problem with political friends. He landed at Croydon from Brussels and drove to an undisclosed destination. Considerable importance is being attached to Herr Henlein's visit because of the imminence of the publication of the Czech Government's nationalities statute, says the Prague correspondent of the Daily Mail. The Sudeten Germans desire Britain to mediate in the minority question, and are holding out hopes of support from Britain against the Czechs. There are persistent reports of violent Cabinet differences over the new statute, only the impartiality of the Prime Minister, Dr. Hodza, preventing its abandonment. The bitterest scenes in the history of the Czech Parliament are said to have occurred after allegations had been made that the promises to the Germans were not being kept. BRITISH ANXIETY GERMANY AND CZECHS COMPROMISE DESIRED AMBASSADOR'S ACTION BERLIN, May 12 The British Ambassador, Sir Nevile Henderson, to-day called on Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister. Tt is understood that further representations were made in connection with Czechoslovakia, in which connection Britain is most anxious that Herr Hitler and Herr Henlein should compromise to the utmost to enable a peaceful settlement to be reached. Asked whether Herr Henlein's weekend in England was politically significant, the Sudeten party spokesman said: "All week-end visits have political significance these days. People in England want to know the real truth of what is happening in Czechoslovakia. So far they have heard only the Czech viewpoint." The spokesman declined to name Herr Henlein's English host.