GAP REDUCED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 9

GAP REDUCED

NAZIS AND .CZECHS LEADERS' PARLEYS SETTLEMENT sought efforts for peace CLEAR ADVANCE MADE gy TelPSrafh —Press Association— Copyright (Received September 4, •>■•> p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3 Referring to the meeting at jjerchtesgaden between Ilerr Hitler and the leader of the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia, Ilerr ITenIcin, the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says it is believed that the Fuehrer instructed Herr Henlein not to recede on fundamentals. After a luncheon discussion, it was announced that Herr Hitler was in agreement with Herr ITenlein's views of the situation and Herr Henlein departed. An official statement issued later said: "The Fuehrer received Herr Henlein who, as Viscount Runciman wished, gave him information regarding the negotiations at Prague. The Fuehrer took cognisance of the explanations with interest. There was complete agreement in the judging of the situation." The fact That the interview between the Czech President, Dr. Bones, and Herr Kinidt and Herr Sebekovsky, was a lengthy one, coupled with the Berchtesgaden announcement, gives the situation a much more favourable t turn. . Hitler's Gesture to France It is understood that the Sudetens sought guarantees, that Czechoslovakia would fulfil the proposed concessions in three months and it is considered that the interview was the most promising yet held. It is understood that Herr Hitler sent a message to Lord Runciman rejecting the cantonal plan and demanding autonomy for the Sudetens as an undivided bloc, says the Berlin correspondent of the News Chronicle. The Fuehrer insisted that the "basis of settlement must enable the Sudetens to co-operate- loyally in the Czech State." - . Herr Hitler granted an interview to the Berchtesgaden representative of I the Paris newspaper Lo Journal, but did not illuminate the Czech crisis beyond stressing Nazi-ism's need of peace. He emphasised that France and Germany, as two peoples, had fewer reasons to hate than to mutually respect each other, says a message from Paris. > Next Move with Dr. Benes That the next move rests with Dr. Benes is the general summing up of the Czech position. The Prague correspondent of the Times says- the two conferences held yesterday turned out ' better than was expected. 1 A communique issued at Prague " says: "Dr. Benes informed Lord Runci- 1 man that he had discussed the whole problem with the Sudetens from 10.30 1 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. and that the 1 negotiations would be continued on s Monday."

It seems that a small but clear advance lias been made. All that can bo .said is that before Herr Henlein went to Herr Hitler the gap, which a week ago had seemed to be limitless, had been narrowed down to measurable limits.

A message from Berlin says the Czechs allowed it to be understood that they had made large concessions, but it is suggested that they were sketchy and not sufficiently defined to satisfy the Sudetens' aspirations. Herr von Eibbentrop returned to Berlin instead of remaining at Berchtesgaden.

NO DIVISION

SUDETEN RANKS

CZECHS' NEW PROPOSALS RETICENCE OF PRESIDENT (Received September 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3 The Sudeten deputy in the Czech Parliament, Herr Kundt, has personally written to the T imcs denying that there is division in the Sudeten ranks. He-says 90 per cent of the Sudetens stand behind the Karlsbad programme. After the most anxious day since the Czech-German ,crisis began, memters of the CzCch Government yesterday were more optimistic. Dr. Benes and Herr Kundt will again meet on Monday. It has now been decided that Dr. Benes will not issue details of the new proposals at present

The Prague correspondent of the || a ily Telegraph says that presumably the Henlein Party's decision to accept 9 r reject the proposals will not be made efore Herr Henlein's return, but the ac t of the conference with Dr. Benes "'ggests an attitude not wholly Be gative.

Lord Rtinciman's happy initiative to err Hitler helped to clear the air, L ays Reuter's Prague correspondent. seemingly risky idea of a direct a Ppeal } ias been justified by its '"ecess.

.. he wording of the statement after ® meeting of Herr Henlein and Herr fitter disposes of the fear that a fach of the peace is contemplated. !6re is no confirmation of what are as a variety of vaguely rereports given prominence in bondon evening press, including a t)" that Germany had assured British , Ambassador, Sir Novile person, that she would not take oCl pitate action to settle the Czech which is denied in Berlin. Bo |' 1S t was made by the tVf"\ 00rros l )o,l( b'nt of the British in ' ♦ >,CISS ' (> added that Britain Oj llrn ' liU l promised that if the count P ro l'Ossils and the Sudeten lock T r ~ pr °I )o * als 'es id ted in a clearing ' ort ' R'nieiman would publish his 11,1(1 suggestions in the Sir v .S*l,tem,M?r--liri ' r 1 ev ''° Henderson, savs the BerHorr° rrOSPOn . tlont df 11,0 Times, saw gave r° n f Bibbentr »P privately and th e BV f Personal impression cf ttatp.n ' S but received no clear ; atei «ent of Germany's policy.