TENSION IN EUROPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23593, 1 September 1938, Page 11

TENSION IN EUROPE

CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND THE SUDETENS EFFORTS TO FIND A SOLUTION THE GERMAN PUBLIC UNINTERESTED DREAD OF BEING PLUNGED INTO WAR (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 30. Reuter's Berlin correspondent reports that the man in the street is suffering; from a had fit of nerves. The general public is profoundly uninterested in the future of the Sudetens, and dreads being plunged into war without being consulted. This comes on top of a sense of hardship in the matter of inadequate pay, particularly among the working classes.

BRITAIN'S INFLUENCE FIRM POLICY WITH GERMANY LONDON, Aug. 30. The Australian Associated Press learns that Mr Malcolm MacDonald and Sir Robert Vansittart, deputising for Lord Stanley, obtained from Mr Chamberlain his views of the crisis for submission to the dominions, which are kept informed of Britain's determination to pursue the firmest policy with Germany. Sir Neville Henderson received fresh instructions, and is also empowered to issue a demarche in Berlin in the event of a breakdown in the Runciman negotiations. Britain will then use all her influence, and, if necessary, the full force at her command, to line up all nations determined to preserve peace. It is generally believed that Britain's unswerving resolve not to allow violent alteration of the Central European situation will prevent war.

LORD RUNCIMAN'S MISSION ENCOURAGING FACTORS , (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Aug. 30. The policy which was endorsed at to-day's meeting of Ministers may be summed up as far as the immediate problem in Central Europe is concerned as concentration by Britain of all its efforts on assisting a peaceful solution of the SudetenGerman oroblem. While the opportunity remains —as British Ministers hope and believe it does—of reaching a settlement by negotiation and conciliation, Britain, which for its part will do nothing which might heighten the general tension, continues to look to both sides in Czechoslovakia to avoid any aggravation of the dispute. Lord Runciman, to the value of whose work newspaper correspondents at Prague pay tribute, is known to be using his influence not without effect on both Czechoslovakia and the Sudetens with a view to promoting an agreement, but it is recognised in London that the success of his efforts depends, on the one hand, on the extent and reality of the concessions which the Prague Government and the coalition parties are ready to make, and, on the other hand, on the extent and nature of the influence exerted from outside on the Sudeten Party and the spirit in which Herr Henlein's followers receivei the Government's advances • There is no, disposition to minimise the gravity and difficulty of the decisions which have to be taken-by the leaders in Czechoslovakia, but both in the or ess and in official circles here full weight is also given to encouraging factors, among which are the increasing realisation of the resnonsibilities which the present dangerous situation imposes and the appearance of a growing willingness to accept them and make the necessarv concessions Another encouraging factor is the discipline disr.layed - among Sudeten Germans, and in this connection there is evident relief that this, eo far, has not diminished as the result of the recent partv manifesto on the exercise of self-defence Equallv important are th* 5 good conduct of trie nolice and : th*»' readiness wtth which the authorities have undertaken examination of incidents and the frankness with which they admitted the facts when they themselves, or the Czech crowds, appeared to have been at fault. It is confidently expected that the Czechoslovak Government will continue to do all in its power to prevent incidents and to preserve order.

It is significant that all sections of the British press,, some formerly critical of the Government, are now benevolent towards Mr Chamberlain, v.'-''- '•

The communication issued after the Cabinet meeting conveys diplomatically more than appears on the surface that the phrase "Action already taken "refers to Sir Neville Henderson's warnings last week to Herr von Ribbentrop and Baron von Neurath, who' did riot regard them seriously, whereunoiji,Sir-Neville re- f quested his recall tO| place the position before his Ministers. He is now able, to .return to Berlin with full, unanimous, .definite, but unwritten instructions, which, he will attempt to convey to Herr Hitler personally, as it is doubtful whether Herr von Ribbentrop passed on the first warning. : '• , . •■ . ■•

The British United Press Paris correspondent says Cabinet approved M. Bonnet's definition of policy regarding Czechoslovakia and issued instructions to Ambassadors which are* reported to inform Poland, Rumania and Jugoslavia of France's obligations to Czechoslovakia, and which request a definition of their position in the event of a German attack.

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT

BRITAIN NOT TAKING SIDES ' ..;. (British Official Wireless) ,:', RUGBY, Aug. 30. The newspapers again devote leading articles to the Central* European situation. The Times comments on the fantastic misrepresentation of Sir John Simon's speech in the Berlin press, which seeks to imply that Britain is taking sides in the dispute and encouraging Czechoslovakia to refuse redress of the just grievances of the Sudetens. " Britain . has. consistently urged that large and drastic concessions should be made to minority claims. Britain and the British people desire nothing more than a settlement by conciliation which will enable the Czechs and Sudetens to live together in peace It is to promote such a settlement that Lord Runciman, who entered upon the task with German consent and approval, is working so patiently, but success can only be achieved by mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. The recent increase in tension has been caused by manifest signs that there are forces at work tending to hinder any progress in this direction. Among these disquieting symptoms, foremost place must be given the revival of the violent anti-Czech campaign of the German press.. The campaign in the Reich newspapers had most unfortunate effects, not only upon opinion and feeling in Germany, but in encouraging a spirit of intransigeance among the Sudetens themselves. The effect upon opinion abroad has been all the greater because this press campaign coincided with the German manoeuvres on an impressive scale. "The sounding made a few days ?%o 'by German envoys in several capitals, implying the possibility that Germany might be compelled to intervene, further intensified the disquiet. There has been no British intervention in the, dispute with which the Prague negotiations are concerned. In Sir John Simon's soeech there was no attempt to die'i.te to others, or to lay down what form the settlement should take. Tt was a plain confrontation of the ( ,n ntingencies which Britain sought and seeks earnestly to orechide. "The final decisive word is with Herr Hitler. If he has the will he has the power to silence those who would make mischief, to relieve the growing tension on the Continent, and to aid a settlement that would give the minorities in Czechoslovakia their fall part in the life of the nation." The Daily Chronicle and the Daily Herald also declare the ultimate decision rests with Hcrr Hitler.

THE SUDETEN GERMANS " HEARTILY SICK OF DISPUTE " LONDON, Aug. 30. The Prague correspondent of The Times says among the Sudeten Germans there is little of the jingoism portrayed in some foreign newspapers. " Most of the people 1 talked with are heartily sick of the dispute," he states. "Though apprehensive of what may arise they want more racial freedom, but more still they want peace to carry on in their fields and factories." AUSTRALIA CONSULTED STATEMENT BY MR LYONS CANBERRRA, Aug. 31. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) stated that there was acute tension in Europe, but Britain, realising the danger to world peace, was doing everything possible to bring about a peaceful and reasonable settlement. "We are in the closest consultation on the measures and steps that are being taken." he said.