LORD HALIFAX’S MISSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 7

LORD HALIFAX’S MISSION

TALKS WITH NAZI LEADERS WILL REPORT TO CABINET (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 22. Lord Halifax’s first opportunity of informing Cabinet of the purport of his talks with Herr Hitler and others will be at its meeting next Wednesday, but he is expected to see Mr Neville Chamberlain and Mr Eden earlier. The Prime Minister is likely to make a statement in the House of Common:#. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says that the conversations have been useful goes without saying, but in the German view the next move lies with Britain, and, recalling disappointment following the earlier visits of Sir John Simon and Mr Eden, commentators refrain from raising public hopes. Lord Halifax would only say, “If we have succeeded in opening the dooinow, I hope we will not let it be closed again.” Lord Halifax added that his task had been to establish personal contacts with those responsible for the conduct of the policy of Germany. He hoped the result would be to smooth the course of British and German relations. He< would depart with pleasant memories of the kindness and courtesy received everywhere, particularly from Herr Hitler, General Goering and Baron von Neurath. RETURN TO LONDON NO STATEMENT YET [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Nov. 22. In the House of Commons at question time, Mr Chamberlain declined Vq make any statement on the conversation during the visit to Germany of Lord Halifax, whom, he told the House, he had not yet seen. Later in the afternoon, Lord Halifax, who had just returned to London,

called at the Foreign Office, and subsequently Mr Eden and Lord Halifax crossed Downing Street together tn see Mr Chamberlain. It is understood that Lord Halifax will report on his talks with Herr Hitler and other German Ministers to his colleagues at a meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday. No statement will be issued before then, and in the meantime speculation, which is deprecated in official quarters, is bound to be particularly u n p r o fi t a b ]e.