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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23150, 23 September 1938, Page 11

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CZECHOSLOVAK STATE BERLIN PRESS COMMENT GERMAN PUBLIC'S RELIEF FAITH IN MR. CHAMBERLAIN I3y TeleKraph—Press Association —Cops'right (Received September 22, 6.30 p.m.) ■ LONDON, Sept. 21 "Too Into" is the comment in the German press on the capitulation of the Czechs. Events have moved at such a pace that, it is argued in some quarters, the Godesberg conference between Mr. Chamberlain and Herr Hitler will no longer have to concern itself with the future of Sudeten Germans, but with the question of whether Czechoslovakia is to continue to exist. It is clear from one newspaper and statements of authoritative Germans that the resignation of the Czech President, Dr. Benes, will be demanded. The papers continue to publish reams of abuse and horror stories put out by the official news agency, which freely refers to Dr. Benes as -i murderer and a monstrous liar. The Times correspondent in Berlin, however, says the news that the Czechs had accepted the Anglo-French plan was greeted by a sigh of relief from the German people. Since Mr. Chamberlain's first visit the Germans, particularly the working and middle classes, have placed faith in him, believing that even at this late hour lie can unite with Herr Hitler to save Gerraanv from war.

PROPHECY OF DISASTER MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL PROSTRATION OF EUROPE SURRENDER BY DEMOCRACIES (Received September 22, 5.5 p.in.) LONDON, Sept. 21 Mr. Winston Churchill 1 made a flying visit to Paris and saw M. Paul Reynaud. Minister of Justice. In an interview, Mr. Churchill said: "It is necessarv for the nation to real-

j ise the magnitude of the disaster into I which it is being led. ! "The partition of Czechoslovakia I under Anglo-French pressure is a comJ plete surrender by the democracies to i the Nazi threat of force. The acceptance of Herr Hitler's terms involves the prostration of Europe to the Nazis." RECEIPT OF CZECH NOTE DOMINIONS INFORMED POLES* REPRESENTATIONS British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 21 The text of Note accepting the Franco-British proposals was received in London this evening. Following an afternoon Cabinet meeting, the High Commissioners were informed at the Dominions Office of the course of events. Viscount Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, informed the Polish and Hungarian representatives that note would be taken of their representations in reference to minority rights. "TO LAST FRENCHMAN" SNEER AT AMERICANS CANADIAN PAPER'S COMMENT MONTREAL, Sept, 21 The Montreal Star, resenting the United States' criticism of Mr. Chamberlain, says: "Americans are willing to fight for the Czechs to the last Frenchman." "Britain and France could have gone to war, eventually entering Berlin. What then? They cannot permanently enslave 70.000,000 people. It is not Herr Hitler who has won but two great democracies, realising that they were strong enough to concede a point or two." The majority of Canadian newspapers agree that Mr. Chamberlain courageously made the befct of a bad job. The New York Daily News suggests that Mr. Chaiuberlain should trade to Herr Hitler Germany's old African colonies. It says: "All except German South-West Africa are just a sop to national pride, but to Germany they would represent the glory of an Empire regained. Mr. Chamberlain then would have hostages and Herr Hitler would be reasonable toward England because of the prospect of the British Navy cutting off his colonies." The Desmoines Register, lowa, is the sole newspaper which takes the view that Herr Hitler's aggression will draw France, Britain and the United States together for an eventual line-up. It says: "Psycologicallv, the rape of Czechoslovakia is likely to be comparable with us to tho sinking of the Lusitania."

The Portland Oregonian, Oregon, says: "Was it necessary for Mr. Chamberlain personally to visit Herr Hitler. A telegram saying: 'Take what you want' would have served the purpose." Chattanooga Times, Tennessee, says: "Maybe mankind in the future will forgive the betrayal of Czechoslovakia, but it is clear that France and Britain have committed themselves to a policy which is certain to make them second-rate Powers. Besides the Czechs millions who died in the Great War, believing they were saving democracy, liave been betrayed."