BRITISH EFFORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 14

BRITISH EFFORTS

.WORK FOE SETTLEMENT NO GERMAN APPRECIATION DENIAL OF ANY OBSTRUCTION CHANCE FOR NEGOTIATIONS By Tele/irnph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY. Sept. 13 Further consideration in London of Herr Hitler's speech appears to have confirmed the first impressions. One remarkable omission from the speech has been noted in London — Herr Hitler appeared wholly to have failed to appreciate or to make due allowance for the attitude adopted by the British Government.

It not only acknowledged from the beginning the urgency of the problem and recognised in many respects the justice of Sudeten Gorman grievances, but acted upon that acknowledgment by almost unromitting exercise of its influence.

Herr Hitler might bo understood rather to havo implied that the British Government, together with other democratic Powers, had tried to obstruct a settlement. Such perversion of plain fact, whether unconscious or deliberate, reaches dangerous proportions in the British view.

The diplomatic history of tho Inst few months contains a complete answer to Herr Hitler on this point. Tho British Government not only recognised tho urgency of the problem and sought to promote a peaceful solution, but also recognised from tho beginning that the inter-relation of forces involved in the situation in Central Europe is such that, if resort wero had to force in an attempt to solve the Sudeten problem, tho consequences would be quite immeasurable, and that in such circumstances no one could predict tho turn of events or foretell their manner or tho moment or form in which vital decisions might bo forced upon; Governments.

The deterioration in the internal situation in Czechoslovakia . .to-day serves to throw into greater relief the conviction, which prevails in the highest quarters here, that at this moment it is essential to give a chance for negotiations to proceed without interruption and that a settlement by .negotiations was and is not impossible if they are allowed ,to proceed in. an atmosphere of calm.

Great progress has already been made since Viscount Runciman went on an independent mission to Prague. That progress, and the opportunities it opened up, emphasise in the British opinion how morally indefensible would be any action from any quarter which ended the hope of a successful issue to the negotiations in an agreed settlement and an assurance of peace.

MARKET STAGNATION LONDON AND EUROPE PRICES CRASH ON WALL STREET (Received September 14, 5.5. p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13 Business on the London stock markets is at a standstill, with the exception of gilt-edged stocks, which have weakened. The Paris Bourse has wavered badly. On the Berlin Bourse business is restricted. Prices have fallen two points.

A message from New York states that the stock market there crashed with a severity which recalled the 1929 crash. Prices fell as mudh as 10 dollars a share from the day's high levels in frenzied selling due to the Sudetens' ultimatum. >

Stock sales totalled 1,700,000 shares, of which 1,000,000 were sold in the last hour. On tho bond market demand has vanished for Central European countries.

SECESSION REMEDY PROBLEM OF SUDETENS MUSSOLINI'S SUGGESTION ROME, Sept. 13 An official statement appearing in the publication Diplomatic Information and understood to be written by Signor Mussolini himself, says that the path to justice and peace is to give the Sudeten Germans an opportunity for secession. Refusal means war and disorder.

MENACE REMAINS GRAVITY OF INCIDENTS RESULT NOT YET SEEN LONDON, Sept. 13 It is stated in authoritative quarters that Herr Hitler's speech has not banged the door finally on a settlement. On the other hand, it has not solved the problem. It did not contain concrete suggestions for a solution and did not remove the menace that is, causing world-wido anxiety, the immediate result being a series of grave incidents in Czechoslovakia, of which the full result is not yet seen.

The Cabinet will meet to-morrow morning. Mr. Chamberlain informed Mr. C. It. Attleo, Labour leader, that q,t present it would be inopportune to summon Parliament. He will bear the request for action in that direction in mind should circumstances necessitate such a step.

WAR RISK INSURANCE ABANDONMENT SUGGESTED (Received September 14, G. 5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 13 It is understood that a meeting is to he held at Lloyd's on Thursday, at which a proposal to cease quoting war risks altogether will be discussed.