CENTRAL EUROPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23592, 31 August 1938, Page 9

CENTRAL EUROPE

CONCERN IN BRITAIN MATERIAL CONFERENCES EFFORTS TO REDUCE TENSION (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Aug.'29. Sir Neville Henderson, Lord Halifax, and Sir John Simon had consultations, with Mr. Chamberlain. Tomorrow there will be a meeting of Ministers at which the international situation and developments in Central Europe will be considered. The newspapers give great prominence to these Ministerial consultations, as well as to news from Prague of the negotiations with Herr Henlein's party. The concern aroUsed in official circles in London by the position in Central Europe is the subject of comment by political correspondents, who make it clear that British policy is not directed in any sense favourable to one side or the other in the dispute, which, in its internal aspects, is no concern of. Britain. Nor is the Government- interested to pro • mote or influence any particular settlement. The essential purpose of the British policy in relation to the Sudeten problem is the preservation of European peace.

It is believed in London thalt a peaceful agreed solution, is attainable if all contribute to make the most- of the opportunities, and the writers stress the British hope that all concerned will' strive towards the. reduction of tension and the removal of bitterness. LORD RUNCIMAN'S MISSION APPEAL TO THE SUDETENS ■ PRAGUE, Aug. 29. Lord Runciman returned overnight, but beyond the fact that his interview with Hen: Henlein lasted two hours, nothing was allowed to be known of its purport, though everywhere it is surmised that he appealed to -ha Sudetens to recipro cate.the Czechs' conciliatory gesture Herr Henlein's deputy, Herr Frahek, in a speech, said: "Matters were brought before us on which it was necessary to make an immediate decision, but we cannot give up any rightg which God has conferred." HENLEIN PARTY'S DESIRE ■~ LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT . LONDON, Aug. 30. ;. (Received Aug. 30, at 11 p.m.) • The Prague correspondent.of the British United Press says Lord Runciman is developing a plan for a round table conference of members of Herr Henlein's party and the Government, in the hope of more rapid straightening out of differences. . It is authoritati«ely stated that the Henleinists' conception of a settlement envisages local selfgovernment on the lines of Irish independence. The canton system is most unpopular among the party chiefs. .;' . . \ LEADERS TO CONFER AN IMPORTANT MEETING LONDON, Aug. 30. (Received Aug. 30, at 11 p.m.) Dr Benes has arranged to receive Dr Henlein to-day. The greatest importance is attached to the meeting. CZECH PRESS COMMENTS y '•DIGNIFIED CALM" LONDON. Aug. 30. (Received Aug. 31, at 0.30 a.m.) Foreign observers comment oh the dignified calm of the Czech press compared with the exaggerated hysteria of the German press and the persistent distortion of isolated incidents, which are described as "Mere tavern brawls among men in their cups." TASK OF CONCILIATION EXTREMELY DIFFICULT , (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Aug. 29. The Times, in an editorial, says "The concern which the German Czech dispute has caused Britain is inevitable, and every intensification of it must give rise to fresh concern The upheaval resuming from the us? of Violent measures must be expected to travel far from the first centre of the disturbance The logic of fact and experience leaves 't in no. one's power to assume that spreading of the conflict would not compel participation by this country Britain does not suopose that the task of conciliation in this case is anything but extremely difficult But even so it does not despair yet of a peaceful solution. The further attempt which the Czech parties are now making to meet the claims of the minorities puts very plain responsibility upon the Sudeten Germans. More, .and not less, is to b? expected from the Czechs in the wav of sacrifice *men it is clear that more is to be gained by it. An agreed constitution would be by far the highest achievement which statesmanship has yet accomplished, Against it must be set the oerils of a violent and intolerant overthrow of conciliatory effort, followed by a train of consequences whose end no man can predict." The Daily Telegraph says: " Thers can be no ambiguity about British policy. It aims at a reduction in tension aid giving lasting oeace in Central Europe, but Sir John Simon's speech repeats Mr Chamberlain's warning that we could not disinterest ourselves should an attempt fee made at a settlement by force."

NEW CZECH PROPOSALS DISCUSSED BY LEADERS PRAGUE, Aug. 29. It is authoritatively learned that Dr Benes and Herr Kundt will discuss the Government's new proposals. It is also reported that Herr Henlein and Lord Runciman agreed to meet again in a few days. GERMANY'S ATTITUDE RESENTMENT AGAINST BRITAIN BERLIN, Aug. 29. The undertone of bitter resentment against Britain is reminiscent of the press attitude after the crisis of May 21, and suggests that Sir John Simon's declaration was well timed. The nervous tension has increased enormously in the last ,48 hours, even those cut off from foreign newspapers realising that the anti-Czech campaiipi has reached a pitch at which a decision is inevitable. BRITISH NOTE TO BERLIN CO-OPERATION HOPED FOR LONDON, Aug. 29. The Daily Mail says Britain is sending a Note to Berlin expressing the hope that Germany will join in the peace efforts, and indicating Britain's attitude in the event of war. ITALIAN PRESS COMMENT ./'AN ALARMIST WEEK" ROME, Aug. 29. i. La Tribuna, observing that Sir John Simon's speech closed the most panicky and alarmist week in recent diplomatic history, declares that the German manoeuvres arid the home fleet exercises in the North Sea were used by democracies to suggest that the crisis had reached a fatal point. Everything was done to spread the impression .that war was imminent.