SUDETEN LEADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23501, 16 May 1938, Page 9

SUDETEN LEADER

MISSION IN LONDON PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS UTMOST SECRECY OBSERVED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. May 13. Herr Henlein and Sir Archibald Sinclair had lunch at Mr Winston Churchill’s flat. Interviewed at the entrance to the flat, Herr Henlein’s British host said: “Herr Henlein wishes make contact with a few friends at a moment when people are baffled over events in Czechoslovakia.” Herr Henlein is surrounded with the utmost secrecy. The telephone in his bedroom is disconnected, and the hotel is guarded by several police to prevent interviewers entering. EXTREME DEMANDS NO SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN LONDON, May 13. Herr Henlein saw Sir Robert Vansittart and also wished to meet prominent back benchers. Accordingly he saw Brigadier-general E. L. Spears, Lieutenant-commander R. T. H. Fletcher, Messrs D. Sandys, Harold Nicholson, Godfrey Nicholson, Mark Patrick, and Captain J. R. Macnamara, who asked to be informed exactly of the Sudeten demands. The Daily Telegraph says that Herr Henlein was told that the British public would not support extreme demands which would be unacceptable at Prague, and if pressed these would lead to a dangerous situation. France would support the Czechs in armed resistance, and Britain could not remain indifferent, for which reason he was asked to recognise his serious responsibility. SOUNDING PUBLIC OPINION VISIT SURPRISES LONDON LONDON, May 13. Herr Henlein’s visit surprised London. The Foreign Office insisted that it was utterly unexpected, and it is not anticipated that Herr Henlein will communicate with it. Herr Henlein’s only statement was: “ I am leaving London to-morrow, but will probably be returning shortly.” Mr Winston Churchill stated: *' Mutual friends thought that as Herr Henlein was coming to London it would be a good thing to talk together about the Central European situation. The conversations were strictly private.” Herr Henlein afterwards visited Sir Norman Angell, accompanied by a colleague, who said: “The situation is. delicate. These matters should be kept secret, but Herr Henlein will be advised of the weight of public opinion in Britain.” It is generally assumed that Herr Henlein, who is well liked here, has undertaken the visit in connection with strengthening his hand in negotiations for a settlement of the Sudeten Deutsch problem. The visit undoubtedly cannot be dissociated from Mr Henderson’s recent conversation with Herr von Ribbentrop about the problem. This appears to have been so satisfactory that Mr Henderson is further calling on Herr von Ribbentrop, who intimated that Germany would welcome Britain’s mediatory action in Prague and was anxious for a peaceful settlement. The Czechoslovakian Government is prepared to make considerable concessions to Herr Henlein, who demands determination and legal recognition of the Sudeten Deutsch, full self-government, and complete equality with the Czechs. GERMANY’S DECLARATION FORCE NOT INTENDED LONDON, May 15 (Received May 15, at 10 p.m.) The Sunday Times says: “ The prospects of a peaceful Czecnoslovakian settlement have improved as the result of Herr Henlein’s visit, as he left the impression that he would not press his demands too obstinately.” The Sunday Dispatch diplomatic corresoondent says Germany informed Britain that she has no intention of forcefully achieving her aims in Czechoslovakia provided the Russian-Czech alliance is dropped, but is prepared to fight if faced by a French-Russian-Czech combination. Herr Henlien visited Dr Masaryk and returned home by air via Berlin. MINORITY PROBLEMS STATUTE BEING FRAMED PRAGUE, May 14 (Received May 15, at 10 p.m.) The Cabinet’s Political Committee has completed the main outlines of the new minorities Statute, which an official communication says constitutes the basis for an integral solution of the Czech minority problems.” It adds: “ The Government is now ready to enter into concrete negotiations with Sudeten Germans and other interested parties.”