1938-08-26 — Page 15

ARMS SMUGGLING INTO THE SUDETEN GERMAN AREAS Anxious Cabinet Conferences In Prague

Hungarians And Poles Follow Henlein

Prague, To-day.

Important meetings of Ministers were held yester- day morning and afternoon under the Presi- dency of Dr. Benes. No only the general poli- tical situation was discussed, but there is rea- son to believe the military situation also was examined.

NEW BASIS OF NEGOTIATIONS

Prague, To-day.

Yesterday's meeting of Min- isters forged a new basis for -negotiations which it is hoped will be acceptable to the Sudeten Germans.

The nature of the new offer is undisclosed but authorita- tive quarters declare that the official outlook is somewhat optimistic. Reuter.

Government and the Sudeten Ger

man Party.

By its very nature, Lord Runci-

bound to take longer to show re-

conducted an exhaustive examina- tion of the situation in Czechoslo- vakia.

The chief basis of the discussion was doubtless the report of Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin, who has so sud- denly returned to London. The aa sertion that Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin is merely paying a private visit is re- peated but not taken seriously. What his report from Prague con- tained has not been discovered by the British press which, mean- while, speaks of great difficulties at present met with in Prague and of the attitude of the German press which registers, with a painstaking exactitude, every little incident oc- curring in Czechoslovakia or on the frontier.

The "Daily Express" speaks of "the possibility that Lord Runci- man would soon publish his

sent statemate."

own

Reuter's representative was informed, however, that no extraordinary measures were contem- plated nor any of immediate character, but on man's Mission of Conciliation was plan for a termination of the pre- the other hand, there had been a growing num-ults than if he had been called in

"Over and above that," the "Daily ber of incidents recently in which arms had to act as an arbitrator, or been en-

Express" declares, "it is. possible. been seized which were being smuggled into gaged merely in the preparing a

report for submission in any parti-that the British Government will collaborate with other Governments the Sudeten German districts.

[cular quarter.

Central ease the tension in

These seizures would seem to indicate that attempts were be- ing made over a fairly wide area

LORD HALIFAX -

to get rifles and pistols into the CONSULTS FRENCH

hands of the Storm Troops or- ganisation of the Sudeten Ger- man Party.

London, To-day.

Nevertheless, press reports from Prague, have shown the Mission even in present stage, has not been without appreciable effect.

WISE STATESMANSHIP

to Europe.

"The proposals Lord Runciman is reported to have made are said to have played an important part in the deliberations. Mr. Ashton-Gwat- kin is believed to have communicat- It is understood the impressioned these proposals to Lord Halifax Lord Halifax, following a which the two Ministers gained yesterday." Lord Runciman, yesterday, meeting with Sir John Simon and from Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin, who is The "Daily Mail" speaks of the saw, among others, representa-Mr. Gwatkin yesterday morning, attached in a personal capacity to possibility of a plenary session of tives of the Hungarian group, led discussed the Czech situation the Mission, he himself has been the Cabinet being held before Mr. by Count Esterhazy, who, in a with the French Charge active in negotiations is that an Chamberlain goes back to Scotland agreed and peaceful solution is next week. The Government holds statement to Reuter's represen-d'Affaires. tative, said that they had told] Later Lord Halifax left for not beyond the reach of wise the view that in the Czechoslova-` Lord Runciman that they had Yorkshire, but he is returning to statesmanship, if that quality is kian question something definite forthcoming from both sides and and concrete must now be under- the same claims as the Sudeten the Foreign Office on Monday.

all parties concerned.

taken.-Trans-Ocean. Germans and would make com- Reuter.

mon cause with the Sudeten Ger-

mans in their struggle for their MR. GWATKIN rights.

NO PROPOSAL MADE... But, he added, this did not mean that they would reject, in advance, any reasonable offers by the Government.

IN LONDON.

London, To-day. That Mr. Ashton - Gwatkin brought Lord Runciman's plan for a solution of the Czechoslovak minorities problem to London.is the opinion commonly expressed in

They regretted that hitherto no proposal had been made to political circles. them.

Mr.

The conferences between Ashton-Gwatkin and members of

The British Government have

made very clear that, in their view,

such a settlement is essential, not

only in interests of Czechoslovakia,

and the Sudeten Germane them- selves, but to safe guard European peace.

INHERENT DANGERS

During recent weeks, the dan- gers inherent in the present situa- tion, have become an increasing preoccupation in London where, it is hoped, the critical juncture at

FRENCH PRIESTS WOUNDED

Hankow, To-day.' -Three French Catholic fathers are reported to have been wounded as a result of a Japanese air raid on Kweichih,

The Catholic Church at Kweichih

During a meeting of the Hun-the Foreign Office are believed to which it stands will be seen by was flying a huge French flag at

the time of the bombings.-Central

garian Parliamentary represen-

both sides to impose a responsi- News. reported to have been decided which, however, have not been re- bility för making a necessary con- | tatives, on the other hand, it is

that the government's proposals are inadequate.

The Poles are also taking similar line more or less agreement with the Germans. Reuter.

STILL GRAVE

London, To-day.

concern this plan, the details of

vealed.

<

According to rumoura, the alleged Runciman plan is based

a upon the earlier proposals for in dividing the Czechoslovak Republic

into cantons.--

·Official circles persist in stating that the visit of Mr. Gwatkin is of Trans- a purely private nature. Ocean.

Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin, Member of OFFICIAL LONDON

-Lord Runciman's Staff, who re turned to London from Prague on Wednesday, again called at the Foreign Office yesterday, where; he had another conference with Lord Halifax.

STATEMENT

London, To-day,

The Foreign Secretary, who con-

tribution to agreement.

ed

RETURNING AT WEEK-END

on'

Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin, who arriv-.

on Thursday in London

from Prague, private business

on the Staff of the where he is Runciman Mission, and who saw the Foreign Secretary yesterday, is returning to Prague at the end of the week-British Wireless.

DISCUSSION IN LONDON

London, To-day.

TOLSTOY EXPERT PASSES

London, To-day.

Mr. Aylmer Maude, leading Eng- lish authority on Tolstoy, all of whose works he translated, editing the Centenary Edition of his works the in English, died yesterday at age of 80 years. British Wireless.

At the discusion between Mr. AMERICAN FINED

Chamberlain, Halifax and Sir, John

Warten P. Ter Ovakiman, aged

made

The Chancellor of the Excluded his weekly visit to the Simon, the situation in Central chequer, Sir John Simon, called at Foreign Office yesterday will come Europe was the chief subject of the the Foreign Office at about 11 to London again on Monday of deliberations, according to a com- $7, American, was fined $20 and o'clock yesterday morning, and it next week. He returned to York- munication made by authoritative an expulsion order was

against him by Mr. R. Edwards at is therefore believed that Sir Johnshire soon after the meeting yea-quarters, took part in the conference which torday morning, at which, with the "Accounts differ in detail, but are the Central Magistracy this morn the Foreign Secretary had with Chancellor of the Exchequer, he in agreement on all points of fun- ing, when he pleaded guilty to en tering this Colony without à valid Mr. Ashton Gwatkin.

heard

from Mr. Ashton-Gwatkin damental importance. According to political quarters, an account of Lord Runciman's According to the newspaper re- passport. the situation. In Czec vakia work as Investigator, and Advisor ports, the conference which was! Det. Sergt. J. L. Loughlin said must still be: Tarded 88: T

connection with problems at also attended Sir Robert Vansittart defendant arrived on the August 11

ovak and Sir Horace Wilson, who Trans-Ocean. ads is

issue between the Czech

from Hankow

!

adi me advieskr

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