HENLEIN’S VISIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 8

HENLEIN’S VISIT

KEEN INTEREST MANIFESTED IN BRITAIN SECRET CONSULTATIONS. CONNECTION WITH UNOFFICIAL TALKS IN BERLIN. (Recd This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. Herr Henleinte visit surprised London.. The Foreign Office insisted that the visit was utterly unexpected and that it was not anticipated that Herr Henlein would communicate with it. Herr Henlein’s only statement was: “I am leaving London tomorrow and probably returning shortly,” while Mr Winston Churchill, as host at a luncheon party, stated that “mutual friends thought that as Herr Henlein was coming to London, it would be a good thing to have a 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, had undertaken his visit in connection with strengthening his hands in negotiations for a settlement of the Sudeten German problem. The visit undoubtedly cannot be dissociated from the recent conversation of Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P. with Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, about its problem. This conversation appears to have been so satisfactory that Mr Henderson is further calling on Herr von Ribbentrop, who intimated that Germany welcomed 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 the determination and legal recognition of the Sudeten Germans, full selfgovernment and complete equality with the Czechs.

WARNING GIVEN OPPOSITION TO EXTREME DEMANDS. DANGEROUS SITUATION. (Recd This Day, 1.35 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. Herr Henlein saw Sir Robert Vansittart (Adviser on Foreign Affairs) and also wished to meet prominent back-benchers. He accordingly saw Brigadier-General C. R. Spears (Conservative), Lieut.-Commander R. T. H. Fletcher (Labour), Messrs D. Sandys (Conservative), Harold Nicholson (National Labour), Godfrey Nicholson (Conservative), C. M. Patrick (Conservative), and Capt. J. R. J. MacNamara (Conservative) who asked to be informed exactly of the Sudeten demands.

The “Daily Telegraph” says Herr Henlein was told the British public would not support extreme demands unacceptable to Prague and if these were pressed they would lead to a dangerous situation. France would support the Czechs in armed resist-

ance and Britain could not remain indifferent, for which reason Herr Henlein was asked to recognise his serious responsibility. AFFRAY IN PRAGUE OBJECTIONS TO THE NAZI SALUTE PROPOSAL TO' ORGANISE STORM TROOPERS (Recd This Day, 1.35 p.m.) PRAGUE, May 13. Czechs objected to Henlein supporters using the Nazi salute in the street. A battle followed and sixty Nazis were arrested. The Sudeten party organisation announces the formation of a “fighting battalion of Storm Troopers” to protect Henlein and maintain order at meetings.