1938-09-26 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 26, 1938.

PRAGUE

GLIMPSE OF

BEHIND SCENES MOVES Britain And France Unable To Recommend Acceptance Of New German Memorandum

MOBILISATION WITH CONCURRENCE OF POWERS

Prague. Today.

The world was yesterday afforded a connected semi-official account of the moves behind the scenes, hitherto unpublished, which culminated in the present grave situation in international affairs.

This was given out on Czech authority from Prague radio station, and is described as a brief review

of events by the Czech press bureau based on BRITAIN

official documents of the Czech Government

and official communications of the British and QUALIFIES

French Governments."

The statement begins by declaring that on Sept. 21, PRAGUE RADIO

the Czech Government accepted the official Anglo-French proposals, which included ces- sion of Sudeten territories after delineation of new borders by an international commission.

This affirmative reply was given, although the proposals "by far ex- ceeded the limits which shortly be- fore that time had been declared by the Sudeten Party themselves 28 a satisfactory basis for solution of the problem."

ANGLO-FRENCH DEMARCHE

The Czech Government accepted the proposals nevertheless because this course was advised by the Bri- tish and French Governments, who hoped that Czecho-Slovakia, in ac- cepting the conditions agreed by Mr. Chamberlain and Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden, would assure peace, not only for herself but for all the world.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR CALLS

Berlin, To-day.

The British Ambassador, Sir

Nevile Henderson, called at Foreign Office after mid-night this morning.

No information is available re- garding the purpose of his visit. -Reuter.

the effect."

Czech

an

Both Governments added that should Czecho-Slovakia not accept the offer, France could not keep her word regarding assistance as ally, and England could no longer show effective interest in the fate of Czecho-Slovakia.

L

Government to

this

London, To-day. British official quarters declare that the statement made in the Prague broadcast that Czech mobil- isation was undertaken with the advice and approval of the British Government, does not entirely accord with the facts.

I

In response to the Czech ap- peal and in view of the develop- ment of the military situation across their frontier, the British Government informed Czecho- Slovakia that they would not

LITTLE

ENTENTE HOLDS

Budapest, To-day.

Reports from Bucharest and Belgrade state that the Ruman- ian and Yugo-Slav representa- tives in Prague have informed the Czech Government that their Governments regarded themselves still bound by the Little Entente treaties to sup- port Czecho-Slovakia in the event of unprovoked Hungarian aggression.

In the case of Bucharest, the report is confirmed in Ruman- ian diplomatic circles in Buda- pest. Reuter.

SUDETENS

POUR OUT OF

tinue to take the responsibility MENACED ZONE

for advising them not to mobi lise, but it was pointed out that due weight must be given to the consideration that the announce- ment of, Czech mobilisation might well precipitate action by

Reuter. other countries.

Berlin, To-day. Total number of Sudeten Ger- man fugitives in the Reich is now 170,000, according to official count

A greater number of fugitives. crossed the German frontiers-on Saturday than on any day dur- ing the last two weeks, since

BERLIN CIRCLES roughly 40,000 fugitives arrived

ASTONISHED

Berlin, To-day. Informed circles express pro- found astonishment at the asser- 8 tion

in the Reich in the course of the day.

National Socialist welfare or- ganisations and Sudeten German relief work organisations are The fugitives have been quar- taking care of the fugitives.

WITHOUT ADVICE At the same time, they gave the Czech Government to understand that the German memorandum was being delivered without any advice USUAL TECHNIQUE

in regard to our future procedure. As soon as Mr. Chamberlain plac "This showed that the great pow- ed our acceptance before Hitler aters themselves do not consider the Godesberg, continues the statement, new conditions to be a sound basis entirely different proposals were for reaching agreement.

"Immediately afterwards, at

of Prague that the Czechtered mostly in school buildings, submitted to him.

p.m. on September 23 the Czech mobilisation took place on the ad-

The state railways have plac- Government held a meeting and it vice of London and Paris.

ed special trains at the disposal was concluded that the internation- In view of the British and of the authorities for transport al situation demands that prepara- French attitude hitherto these as-

sertions are regarded as - totally of refugees. tion for defence should be made.”

incredible. The Prague wireless MOBILISATION DECISION appeal has produced a further con- Mr. Chamberlain brought from

The statement

the sug siderable increase Godesberg the new German proposals.

methods Trans-Ocean. and conditions

he communicat- gestion Government this were adopted

an attempE

These went much further than those agreed at Berchtesgaden.

The usual technique of fol. lowing every concession by increased demands once more became apparent.

ed to

(Sunday)

PRAGUE WARNED

sion these new conditions, Mr

sions betwee

Herr Hidder

occurred very freely.

“While accepting for transmis- ges that brossing

alle

hát: per-

Chamberlain was already aware sons armed with machineguns and that neither the French or Bri. handgretades raided Czech

tish Governments would be tory,

1

terri-

a menace

abla to advise Czecho-Slovakia・ “Surely, nobody believes that the

mall Czecho to accept the proposals, and mobilisation of could no longer advise the Slovakia could con Czech⠀⠀ Government, to remain to anyone else. passive and not to prepare for "We repeat with all possible em- defence, f

phasis that the step was not taken against the advice and without the knowledge of the great Powers

-Router.

"Therefore, at 8:15 on September 28, the British and French Minis- ters at Prague made a statement to

LARGE HONG KONG JEWEL THEFTS

Two large jewellery robberies have been reported to the Police. Mr. A. Raymond, of 89 Stubbs "Road, reports the loss of money and Jewellery to 'the value of $1,900 from his residence last night, while Mr. Heldon. Ha- of No 2 Branksome ren, Towers, lost $729 in money, Jewellery and other articles, also last night.,

gymnastic halls and hotels,

tugitives

→ German

large groups brought ver than 1,100: Czech offi» soldiers and officials, whom they had disarmed and compell- ed to accompany them, on their flight to the Reich with them across the frontiers. These 1,100 prisoners Have been brought to concentration camps where they will be detained for the time be- ing. The prisoners include 102 officers of the Czech army, amongst whom were one colonel, two majors and four captains. Trans-Oösän?