NAZI WELCOME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19694, 28 July 1938, Page 5

NAZI WELCOME

RUNCIMAN'S MISSION

MEDIATOR AT PRAGUE

BERLIN PRESS WARNING

"OBDURATE 1 "' CZECHS

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 28. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 27.

A message from Prague states that the Sudeten German Party has informed the British Minister that the party is prepared to submit its views to Viscount Runciman, who, as announced yes. terday, has been requested by the Government of Czechoslovakia and has agreed to go to Prague to mediate, independently of all Governments in the dispute between the Sudeten Germans and the Czech administration.

As announced yesterday, the Czech President, Dr.. E.. Benes, and the Prime Minister, Dr. M. Hodza, have informed the British Government that they are prepared to go to the full limit of the advice that Lord Runciman may give—as long as the sovereignty of the Czechoslovak State is safeguarded.

Information Promised

Prague reports further that the Sudeten German Party will welcome Lord Runciman and promises him dotailed information concerning their aims with a view to arriving at a satisfactory solution of the problem. A Berlin message states that the German Press welcomes Lord Runciman with enthusiasm as likely to assist the leader of the Sudeten German Party, Herr Henlein. Field-Marshal Goering's paper, the National Zeitung says: "Mr. Neville Chamberlain undoubtedly wishes to stake his whole personal influence, and the British Empire's prestige on finding a solution of the Czech question. The British attitude in this matter will determine whether his farreaching intentions for a general European appeasement will be fulfilled."

Angriff, the organ of Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, says that Lord Runciman may count on Germany's good wishes but the Czechs "are obdurate and untrustworthy people in negotiations and it is possible that far stronger pressure may be needed to compel the Prague Government to make the concessions which have now become inevitable."