1938-09-29 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 29, 1938.

MR.

CHAMBERLAIN'S

SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT Repeated British Representations To Germany

At Statement On

Critical Negotiations

London, To-day.

HITLER'S REFUSAL

tion, but said that he could not Herr Hitler declined to depart enter the guarantee unless · Italy from the procedure in his memor-did likewise. andum on the ground that a con- ference would lead to intolerable procrastination.

HITLER'S STAND

Mr. Chamberlain said he did not ask Hitler to enter the guarantee ·

After reading · Herr Hitler's but whether he was prepared to In his anxiously awaited statement in the House of speech, expressing disbelief of the

Czechs intention to carry out their conclude a pact of non-aggression Commons yesterday, a statement which proved promise, Mr. Chamberlain issued a He said he could not do so while to be one of the most vital made by a British statement offering to guarantee the other minorities in Czecho-Slovakia were unsatisfied, but said Mr. Prime Minister for many years, Mr. Chamber-promises.

On Tuesday Sir Horace Wilson Chamberlain, he had since put his views in more positive form and lain referred to the position in July, when a resumed the conversations with

said that when they were satisfied deadlock had arisen in the negotiations be-Herr Hitler, and found the latter's they would join in an international tween Czecho-Slovakia and the Sudetens. Mr. Chamberlain said that the British Government faced three

alternatives.

views apparently unchanged.

guarantee. RED LINE

After referring to Hitler's re- Herr Hitler's reply brought by fusal of Mr. Chamberlain's other Sir Horace contains the definite proposals, the Premier declared: Either to threaten to go to war with Germany if she attacked statement that troops will not be The House will realise my per- Czecho-Slovakia, or we could have stood aside to allow matters moved beyond a certain red line. plexity when Herr Hitler told me to take their course, or finally we could attempt to find a peace-They would be there, to preserve that if the principle of self-deter- ful solution.*

order and to ensure a plebiscite on mination : The first course we'rejected. We had no treaty obligations with

à free vote.

discuss was accepted he would me ways and means Czecho-Slovakia, and had always refused to accept such obli-

Herr Hitler offered to join in an of carrying it out, but I do not gations. The second course was also repugnant, and we addressed ourselves international guarantee of the re-think that he was deliberately de-

mainder of Czecho-Slovakla once ceiving me.” the minority questions were settled.

"I believe he means what he says,' As regards postponement of the added Mr. Chamberlain, adding that conversation arranged for the next. the difficulties and obscurities had morning, Mr. Chamberlain put narrowed to points where it was some points in a letter to Herr inconceivable that they could not be Hitler.

to the task of mediation.

to

Mr. Chamberlain paid a tribute Herr Hitler offering to go again to to Lord Runciman, whose long and Germany and appealing also exhausting efforts had gained the Signor Mussolini direct to join the

esteem of both sides. (Cheers). conference and settle the details in

Lord

Runciman's efforts had a week. directed a considerable degree of sue-

:

"

NO MODIFICATION

settled by negotiation, so that Mr.Though Hitler's reply contained Chamberlain sent a last personal an explanation, he offered no modi- appeal stating he was convinced he fication of his previous night's pro- could reach an agreement in a week. posals.

blem."

-as!

Herr Hitler, said Mr. Chamber cess towards bringing the Sudeten- lain, had invited him to meet him at Czech negotiations closer together. Munich to-morrrow (Thursday).

GERMAN SUSPICION-

Herr Hitler had also invited Sig-

FEW DAYS' DELAY

It was that night when the mem- On July 28, Lord Halifax wrote 'nor Mussolini and M. Daladier, the

"I cannot believe you will take orandum and map were handed him a personal letter to Herr von Rib-French Premier, both of whom had

the responsibility for starting a that he spoke frankly to Hitler, bentrop (Germany's Foreign Minis-accepted.

Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Godes-world war which might end civilisa-dwelling with all the emphasis at ter), expressing regret at the lat-

tion for the sake of a few days' my command, on the risks of insist- ter's statement to Sir Nevila Hen-berg, when the German people gave derson (Ambassador in Germany) him a warm welcome, demonstrated delay in settling a long-standing pro-ing on such terms and the terrible

consequences if war ensued.” that Germany must reserve its their desire for peace.

Simultaneously the Premier sent Despite these plain words the con- GODESBERG ULTIMATUM attitude towards the Runciman mis-

He explained to Herr Hitler the a message to Signor Mussolini, ap-versation continued on more friend- sion, as the matter was purely a

Anglo-French arrangements relat-pealing to him to refrain from forcely terms than ever. British concern.

Lord Halifax had expressed the ing to transfer of territory and fin- and offering himself to go to Berlin to discuss arrangements with Ger- hope that Germany would collaboral delimitation to the frontier.

Herr Hitler declined to. conclude man and Czech representatives, ate in a peaceful solution of the a pact of non-aggression with Cze-well as Italy and France, suggesting Sudeten question, and afterwards to cho-Slovakia, while other minorities that Mussolini inform Hitler that he establishing of relations between there were still unsatisfied.

(Mussolini) would be represented Britain and Germany on a basis of Herr Hitler refused to accept Mr. and urge him to agree to Mr. Chams mutual confidence and collaboration. Chamberlain's other proposals as berlain's proposal.-Reuter

RUNCIMAN DICTUM URGENT WARNINGS

too dilatory, and gave Mr. Cham-

When Mr. Chamberlain returned Referring to the events of Sept. berlain his memorandum. 1, when Sir. Nevile Henderson saw For the first time, he found it from Berchtesgaden, Lord Runci- Herr von Ribbentrop and repeated contained a time limit, and he man expressed the view that in awkward question of Colonies, there

of recent develop- the urgent warning he gave the spoke very frankly of the risks at-consequence

ments, the Sudetens should be State Secretary the previous day, tendant upor such terms.

self-determination imme- Mr. Chamberlain said the Govern- He declared that the language given

while Czecho-Slovakia. ment desired to impress the seri- and manner of the document was diately, ousness of the situation оп the that of an ultimatum, and bitterly should be only maintained if her German Government without formal reproached the Chancellor for his internal and external policy were representations, which the German failure to respond to his efforts to directed at enabling her to live at Government might have interpreted secure peace. as a public rebuff as in the case of

t

FINAL MEETING

peace with all her neighbours.

After consultations with M. Daladier and M. Bonnet, which were guided by a desire to find a solution which would not...

Hitler said he was grateful for Mr. Chamberlain's efforts, but con- sidered he had made a response since he had held back the contem- plated operations and had offered Czecho Slovaklu a frontier very different from what I he would have taken as a result of a military con- flict.

one

When Mr. Chamberlain referred to Hitler's reference to the

was some laughter..

INTERRUPTERS REBUKED Mr. Chamberlain rebuked the in- terrupters, saying: “I think that at a time like this it is too serious for idle laughter. They are words

weighed.' which weigh and ought to be fully

Mr. Chamberlain proceeded that he conversations were resumed

French

who

SkinƐ wak

O FRANCE

iberlain, told rces were actively engaged in hostilities we would support them

them at if

the Coup representation on May 21. Dealing with the final meeting at PROPER CONDITIONS Godesberg, Mr. Chamberlain had a with the Chancellor The British Minister in Prague few words

Government were urged immed emphasised that it was vital in the which he did not think were with-about a European war, the

ly to agree to transfer to the Reich interests of Czecho-Slovakia to out importance. afford immediately and without re- Herr Hitler reiterated the great all areas containing over 60 per

cent. of Sudeten inhabitants. servation those conditions without earnestness of this, his last terri-

NEW COMMITMENT which the Sudeten question could torial ambition in Europe, and

secondly, he again earnestly said In Joining in a guarantee of not be considered. settled.

Subsequently, Sir Nevile Hender- that he wanted to be friends with Czecho-Slovakin against unprovok... Referring to the results of his son at Nuremberg impressed England and if only the Sudeten ed aggression, Britain, was accept message to Mussolini, Mr. Cham- leading German personalities the question could be got out of the way, ing completely a new commitment, berlain said that whatever views -attitude of the British Government. peacefully, he would resume nego Mr. Chamberlain -mentioned that we may have had about Mussolini note had been taken of the claims in the past, everyone would` wel- No personal representations were tiations.. made to Herr Hitler, as such action He said there was one awkward of Poland and Hungary for similar come his gesture. (Cheers).

colonies.

but treatment of their minorities but Mr. Clement Attlee, Labour Op- might have had a contrary effect to question

that was not a matter for war.

the Government were concentrating position Leader, made a brief what was intended.

Mr. Chamberlain sent Sir Horace all efforts on the Sudeten problem, speech welcoming the Premier's WILD CHEERING

He was sure that

the to on which depended" "the peace of statement. Everyone in the House and Gal- Wilson (his personal adviser)

House was, desirous of neglecting personal message to Herr Europe. - leries rose and cheered, wildly

the latter's speech on Coming to the Godesburg, meet- no chance of preserving peace with- when Mr. Chamberlain, after an

making a further proposal ing, details of which the House out sacrificing our principles, and nouncing that Hitler had agreed.

discussions between eagerly awaited, the Premier, vaid, that they would wish to give the ng and Czechs in the that when he explained the Anglo- Prime Minister every opportunity of British representatives. French plan, Hitler made no objec« following this new move.—Reuter.

postpone mobilisation for twer four hours, said that he (hir. berlain) sent yet another