Evening star., 1938-09-29
ROOSEVELT HOLDS
HOPE FOR PEACE
IN MUNICH TALK
Hull Also Is Declared to Have
Confidence in 4.Power
Conference.
LESSENING OF TENSION
NOTED HERE IN CAPITAL
o., s. officials See international
Commission Likely as sudeten
Solution.
b the Associated Press.

b the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
of State Hull were represented by in
formed of1icials today as feeling rea-
sonably confident that some orderly
settlement Of the Sudeten problem
would come from the four power con-
ference in Munich.
There was noticeable lessening Of
the tension evidenced In Official circles
earlier In the week when to many
there seemed scant hope Of averting
war.
Omcials said this Government would
not have a diplomatic observer at the
conference, but that the embassies in
London, Berlin, Paris and Rome would
keep informed as to its progress.
They indicated the United States
would refuse-if it were asked-to ac-
cept any responsibilities arising from
the meeting, such as arranging for
the transfer of the Sudetenland, or q
portion Of it, to Germany and for the
transfer of populations.
international Commission Likely.
Some ofilcials- speculated that an
international commission, possibly
backed by an international police
force. might be set up to keep order
in the Sudetenland while the shift
in sovereignty was being made. This
was done in the case Of the Saar re-
eion, lying between France and Ger
many.
In the talk Of possible American
assistance in any transfer OF territory,
1t was recalled that the help Of Ameri-
can experts and money were given
freely in the historic transfer of Greek
and Turkish populations in 1928 when
100000 Greeks were brought to
Greece from Asia Minor and 400, 900
Turks were transported from Greece
to Turkey. 1@4
Henry Morgenthau, st., father Of
the Secretary of the Treasury. became
chairman Of the Greek Refugee Settle
ment Commission, and . loan Of $1l,-
000, 900 was noated here to care for
the refugees.
Even in that case. however, all sssis-
tance was Of 4 private nature and
the United States Government took
no hand III 1t.
Likely Developments.
While hopeful that the Munich
conference might settle the European
issues amicably, government leaders
did not let their optimism blind them
to the possibility OF failure. They
are considering such possible develop
ments as these:
A deadlock with Britain and France
rigid on one side, Germany and Italy
adamant on the other.
That Czechoslovakia might not be
willing to accept any new conditions.
(She already is demanding representa-
ton at the conference)
That Premier Mussolini might place
too much insistence on settling the
minority claims Of his friends, the
Hungarians, who assert that seven to
eight hundred thousand of their nat
tionality live in Czechoslovakia.
On the other hand, some optimistic
students of foreign affairs suggested
the possibility that from the Munich
meeting might come eventually a
world conference to adjust economic
relations and remove some of the
causes OF unrest created by the re-
mapping of Europe at the end of the
World War.
Roosevelt influence Question.
Mingled with the talk of oficials
and observers was speculation, too. as
to how great an influence in edecting
the Munich conference were President
Roosevelt's urgent appeals for peace
and his plea for Premier Mussolini to
act. Presidential aides said they had
no idea.
In any case, however, continued
negotiations were what the President
had so strongly urged.
The Capital displayed great interest
IN Mr.. Roosevelt's letter to M,lssolini.
q curiosity made the more intense by
the TACT that because 1t was q per
sonal" message, the White House with
held its contents.
From Rome. however, came a sum-
mary which said:
In this message the President Of
the United States, after having re-
called efforts exerted by him to assure
peaceful solution Of the German
Czechoslovak conflict and after having
emphasized the tragic consequences
that q European war would have for
(see ROOsEVELTH, Page A-3.)