VITAL TALKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23157, 1 October 1938, Page 16

VITAL TALKS

•PEACE' SAVED FULL AGREEMENT SIGNATURES ATTACHED ILEADERS' DEPARTURES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 30, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30 Tlie Munich conversations between Mr. f < Chamberlain, Herr Hitler, Signor Mussolini and M. Daladier were commenced at 1 p.m. yesterday and were suspended at 2.45 p.m. to allow the statesmen to rest. When Mr. Chamberlain, during the interval, returned to his hotel, he appeared to be cheerful and satisfied with the progress. A throng of people outside and guests inside cheered him, "Heils" and "hochs" mingling with the cheers and handclapping in the lobby. Hotel servants rushed to the staircase and joined in the applause. '♦Things Going Pretty Well" A British authority stated to Reuter's correspondent: ".Things are going pretty well now. You will be able to return to Berlin when the conference is over." The second session was attended by the British, French and Italian amSir Nevile Henderson, M. Poncet and Signor Attolico, and by numerous officials. An envoy from Dr. Krofta, Czech Foreign Minister, arrived in the evening, bringing Mr. Chamberlain and M. Daladier a message stating the Czech attitude. At one stage of the conference the four statesmen retired with their staffs to different private rooms and subsequently resumed joint discussions. The Czech acceptance of the British plan had been communicated to Munich before the opening of the conference. Thin implied that the Czechs were insisting that the basis of negotiations , should remain as in the Franco-British plan, and that they were still rejecting the German memorandum. Official News ol the Signing Following upon several reports from German sources that an agreement had been reached, and statements that these reports could not be confirmed, it was subsequently reported that Mr. Chamberlain had announced that an agreement had been signed. A message sent from Munich at 1.27 - a.m. stated that the official German news agency at Munich announced that the agreement was signed at 30 minutes after midnight. This was repeated in a message from Berlin, which stated: '•'The statesmen of the four Powers signed an agreement at 12.30 a.m. covering conditions and methods k)f the cession of Sudeten German territory." Mr. Chamberlain and M. Daladier left the Fuehrerhaus at 1.30 a.m. A little later Herr Hitjer and Signor Mussolini left, II Duce joining a train for Rome. Officials described the way in which Sir. Chamberlain has stood up to the terrific strain during the past fortnight as simply marvellous. Thousands of telegrams, letters and messages are pouring into No. 10 Downing Street, thanking Mr. Chamberlain.

WORLD CONFERENCE

MR. ROOSEVELT'S PLAN PEACE EFFORTS APPROVED ,• • iv' f ' REQUEST BY THE CZECHS (Received September 30, 5.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. M It is indirectly disclosed that President Roosevelt sent a ■''round robin" message, to 60 nations, making a plea for peace, and it is believed that he proposes to call an international conference after the Munich settlement, to discuss appeasement in the . various disturbed areas of the world. Messages approving of Mr. Roosevelt's appeal to Herr Hitler poured in all day from the Governments of many countries, including Australia. A Note from the Czech Cabinet to Mr. Roosevelt outlined the fresh concessions it was prepared to make and asked him to arbitrate if negotiations failed. STRAIN TOO GREAT TRAGIC FEARS OF WAR SUICIDES IN ENGLAND .. LONDON, Sept. 29 It was revealed at the inquest into the death of Major-General Dawnay, a public relations officer in the War Office,' that he had committed suicide by means of gas at his home on Tuesday. The coroner found that the suicide was the result of insomnia, seemingly due to pressure of work. MajorGeneral G. P. Dawnay was also prominent in important business circles. A gardener in Suffolk committed ■uicide by shooting himself with a rifle. He worried for days over the international situation. A German-speaking clerk at Brixton, after listening to Herr Hitler's speech on September 12, declared: "Well, that means, war." Later he was found gassed in his bedroom.

VOYAGE CANCELLED LINER FOR NEW YORK LONDON, Sopt. 29 The voyage to New York of the liner Aquitania, which was to have sailed from Southampton yesterday, was cancelled. The Cunard Line informed passengers that they will bo advised lr.ter "regarding accommodation by alternative vessels.