The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-27
WARSHIPS SENT
 TO NORTH SEA
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 ..-...u--. ernmcnt had stepped boldly into the arena of European events with a warning to all parties concerned Germany included, to avoid height ening the tension that hour by hour now was gripping Europe.
 Situation Electric
 It was argued in diplomatic guar. ters that the statement never would have been issued, almost as Simon stepped on the platform, unless the government considered the Euro pean situation electric and poten- tially tragic.
 Ministers were ready for a week end at the telephone, consulting from officics and country homes on all developments. It was arranged that key men of the cabinet should assemble here Monday and it was understood that Alfred Duff Cooper, first lord of the admiralty, was hur- rying back to London from Scan dinavia to take charge at the ad- miralty-Britain's first line of de- fense.
 DeplOre Proclamation
 London, Aug. 27-(UP)-A semi- official statement was issued today deploring a proclamation in which leaders of the Sudeten German party in Czechosloyakia withdrew orders to their men to refrain from retaliating against attacks on them. It was a statement of most unusual nature-a British government com ment, to all purposes, on an order issued by a political party in for eign country. There seemed no doubt that the issue of the state ment meant that the British govern ment was deeply concerned at de- velopments in Czechsolvakia. It was made more important because, in the statement, the concilatory atti- tude of the Czechoslovak govern- ment was emphasized.
 Statement Issued
 "Official quarters in London well come the conciliatory attitude dis played by the Czech government in suggesting a new basis for fiegotia- tio1 with Sudeten Deutsche leaders with the express object of meeting the latter's fundamental demands.
 Tt is hoped that this contribution may meet constructive response and that every effort will be made in all quarters concerned directly or indirectly with the matter to avoid anything which may heighten ten- sion.
 "The issue by the Sudeten Deutsche party of a proclamation relaxing the admirable discipline hitherto observed by the Sudeten Deutsche is therefore much de- plored."
 The sudden British incursion di- rectly into the Budeten German is- sue. which 1t had tried so hard to treat as if 1t were a friendly, disin- terested observer, was regarded as primarily due to the Sudeten Ger man party proclamation.
 Grave Portents Play Part
 But 1t was believed that other and equally grave portents played part.
 One was the persistent report believed to have come from the French government, among other sources--that Germany had made inquiries in various European capi- tals regarding the Czech problem particularly to Yugoslavia and Rou- mania as regards their possible neu- trality. These reports were denied, hut in vain so far as their effect went.
 After days of deliberation, the British government evidently had decided on a definite course. Frank T. A. Ashton c Gwatkin, chief of the economic section of the foreign of- flee, left by airplane for Prague with secret instructions to Viscount Run ciman, head of the British mission seeking solution of the minority problem in Czechsoslovakia.
 Ashton Gwatkin, who is attached to the mission, came here earlier in the week with a complete report of Lord Runciman's analysis of the site uation.
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