BRITISH MEDIATOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23127, 27 August 1938, Page 13

BRITISH MEDIATOR

REPORT ON HIS MISSION SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE STATESMANSHIP NEEDED British Wireless RUGBY, August 25 The adviser to Viscount Runciman at Prague, Mr. Anton G. Watkin, to-day gave Viscount Halifax, Foreign Secretary, and Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, an account of Lord Itunciman's work at Prague. By its very nature Lord Runciman's mission of conciliation was bound to take longer to show results than if he had been called in to act as arbitrator or had been engaged merely in preparing a report for submission to any particular quarter. Nevertheless, press reports from Prague have shown that the mission, even in its present stage, has not been without appreciable effect. It is understood that the impression which the two Ministers gained from Mr. Watkin is that an agreed and peaceful solution is not beyond reach of wise statesmanship if that quality is forthcoming from both sides and from all the parties concerned. Britain made it very clear that in its view such a settlement is essential, not only in the interests of Czechoslovakia and the Sudeten Germans, but to safeguard European peace. In recent weeks dangers inherent in the present situation have become the increasing cause of preoccupation in London, where it is hoped that the critical juncture at which it stands will be seen by both sides to impose responsibility for making the necessary contribution to an agreement. Lord Halifax has returned to Yorkshire, and Mr. Watkin will return to Prague at the end of the week.