Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-09-24
Chamberlain Tells
Cabinet of Talk
With Fuehrer.
fs the Associated Press.


LONDON, Sept 24-Prime Minister
Chamberlain told his ministers today
Of the frail foundation of Europe's
peace after his fateful visits with
ReichSfuehrer Hitler while Britain
joined Europe wide rush to get ready
for war.
The Prime Minister apparently had
only virtual ultimatum for Czecho-
slovakia expiring October Ia week
from today-to show for his desperate
midnight parley on the banks of the
Rhine
Even before he climbed from his
plane at Heston, the British home
fleet was steaming out of Invergordon,
Scotland, for a strategic place in the
North Sea in the event of war and
other arms of Britain's military serv-
ices were making similar extensive
preparations for any emergency.
Must Report First.
For anxious Britain the prime min
lister had only these words:
My first duty now that have come
back is to report to the British and
French governments the result of my
mission . 1 will only say this
l trust that all concerned will continue
their efforts to solve the Czechoslovak
problem peacefully. because on that
turns the peace of Europe in our time"
Back at No. 10 Downing street Mr..
Chamberlain went into quick session
with his inner cabinet of advisers
before telling the full cabinet of the
demands he passed on to Czechoslo-
vakia from Hitler
Reliable sources in Berlin said these
were conciliatory in tone. But the
feeling elsewhere was that their ac-
ceptance in Prague was doubtful with
soldier-premier, Gen. Jan Syrovy,
at the head of the government and
the republic swiftly modified over
night.
The extent of this mobilization was
not fully known because Czecho-
slovakia was isolated from the rest Of
the world by shutdown of commune
cations with the world outside.
1t was known, however, to be at
least 100000 men.
(Britain'S responsibility for q
settlement of the crisis by peaceful
and honorable means was further
increased by its action in suggest
ing that Czechoslovakia mobilize,
the Chicago Daily News correspon-
dent in London reported)
The Czechoslovak Legation today
published a message received from
Prague which said:
The general position lin Czecho-
slovakia) is quite orderly, but there
have been some small incidents on
the frontiers"
40 Ships Sent Out.
Some 40 ships of the British home
feet put to sea suddenly from Inver-
gordon. as France ordered 5000
more men to join her 100000 all
ready under arms
During the night and today two
fiotillas of destroyers joined the home
fleet, which stretched for more than
8 miles as it sailed away.
Some sources reported the fleet was
bound for Scapa Flow, famous World
War base.
At the same time the Mediterranean
feet concentrated SO warships at Alex
andria, Egypt, ready to move at
moments notice.
Previously various units Of the
southern fleet had scattered through
the Mediterranean on courtesy visits.
which made mobilization, If such were
done. extremely slow.
Mr.. Chamberlain returning from
Godesberg at liza pm. 7:l4 am. E.
S. To had given Czechoslovakia what
was described as Hitlers final offer"
for peaceful solution of the crisis.
Mr.. Chamberlain sped to Downing
street with Foreign Secretary Viscount
Halifax to meet his close advisers first.
As the Prime Minister entered No.
10 Downing Street his wife kissed and
embraced him.
The French Premier, Edouard Dalai
der, was expected here today to meet
with Mr. Chamberlain, as they met
last Sunday to discuss the first peace
plan Mr.. Chamberlain brought from
Hitler-for the cession of Czechoslovak
Sudetenland to Germany.
Great crowds gathered in Downing
Street this morning as cabinet mem
bers came to their offices. Police
cleared the street.
Men paraded adjoining Whitehall
street bearing signs on their backs de-
manding the recall of Parliament.
Others distributed handbills urging
support of Czechoslovakia.
Europe. expecting and fearing war,
was preparing. Preparations were
more intense than at any time since
1914.
The end of peace talks between Mr..
Chamberlain and Hitler was far from
reassuring.
Mr.. Chamberlain left the Godesberg
conference last night with Hitler's