EUROPE BREATHES FREELY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21155, 30 September 1938, Page 9

EUROPE BREATHES FREELY

Reaction to Call for Conference Change Welcomed in France OUTLINE OF SUDETEN PROBLEM United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 28. The entire country suddenly passed from gloomy foreboding to hope after hearing the news of the Munich conference. Mr Chamberlain’s cry to the crowds in Downing Street, "It’s all right this time,” was taken up everywhere as a miracle phrase, coming when the nation knew it could not be nearer to war, and with war preparations and precautions being pushed on day and night. In spite of the realisation that Europe’s troubles were by no means ended, everyone again feels able to breathe more freely. The West End went wild with enthusiasm after hearing Mr Chamberlain’s announcement. Matinees were interrupted, audiences greeting the repetition of Mr Chamberlain’s dramatic words with long cheering. While the country is rejoicing over the respite, the Government has taken pains to make clear that too much must not be hoped for. The Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) made a statement after the riring of the House, emphasising that it was in the interests of everyone that precautions, including the distribution of gas masks, the digging of trenches, and the organisation of first aid posts, should be pushed on to completion as rapidly as possible. Having begun the precautions, England is determined not to be caught unawares while the crisis persists. AUSTRALIA PLAYS HER PART SUGGESTION TO BRITAIN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 29, 10.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, September 29. The Prime Minister revealed in the House of Representatives to-day that the Federal Government yesterday suggested to Mr Chamberlain a personal appeal to Signor Mussolini to use his influence with Herr Hitler for a peaceful solution of the Czech crisis. The Federal Government further suggested that the High Commissioner, Mr Stanley Bruce, might be of service in flying to Rome bearing a personal message from Mr chamberlain to Signor Mussolini. The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, said Mr Chamberlain had replied thanking the Commonwealth Government and adding that he was at that moment considering action of this nature. Mr Lyons later disclosed that he also cabled Mr Roosevelt urging him to offer his services as mediator. Mr Lyon’s announcements were received with cheers from all parts of the House. INVASION AVERTED MR CHAMBERLAIN’S CLAIMS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, September 28. When Mr Chamberlain reviewed at length the chain of events following the Czech-Sudeten dispute and dealt with his visits to Berchtesgaden and Godesberg, he said he had no doubt that his visit to Herr Hitler had prevented the invasion of Czecho-Slovakia. What is Involved? An authoritative Czech statement points out that whereas Great Britain and France proposed the cession of territory containing 382,000 Czechs, Herr Hitler demanded territory containing 836,000 Czechs and at least 450 communes in the areas were purely Czech. It also points out that a German demand for plebiscites, which can be arranged to swamp the Czech votes, was made regarding 19 areas in which the highest German percentage is 29; three have German percentages of 18.8, 18 and 17.9 respectively; one 11.1 per cent and two eight per cent. The remainder have lower percentages, eight being below two per cent. Altogether In these districts there are 1,116,000 Czechs and 144,000 Germans. STILL HOPE FOR PEACE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 29, 6.30 p.m.) CANBERRA., September 29. The Prime Minister of Australia (the Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons) made a statement on the international situation in the House of Representatives at eleven o’clock last night and broadcast a summary of it over the national network at midnight. The statement contained no definite announcement. It was merely a summary of the events that had occurred in the last few weeks. Mr Lyons concluded with the words: "If war is to come to the world, it will not come by' reason of anything the British nation has done or failed to do. Our hands are clean. We have done our best to keep peace. We have no selfish interests to serve. Even as the clouds gather about us, we still hope peace may be preserved.”