The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-10
Great Britai1, Has
 Sent Hitler Warning
tContinued from Page .1)

ond zone behind the advance belt within 100 miles of the border, pre- pared to follow any advance.
 British Warships Sail
 Britain maintained silence - but 60 warships of her Mediterranean fleet steamed out of Malto today for an "autumn cruise" identical to that which has taken the home fleet to its battle station in the North Sea. It is normal for the fleets to take autumn cruises. But as the Mediterranean fleet left Mall ta, it was asserted blandly that, though 1t would spend some time in the eastern Mediterranean, its route could not be announced be- cause the permission of some gov- ernments had not been received for its transit through their territorial waters.
 American Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy visited Viscount Halifax, foreign secretary, this morning, and then cabled 8 comprehensive report of the Czechoslovak minority situa- tton to WaShington.
 Policy of United States
 It was reported in diplomatic quarters that Halifax not only in- formed Kennedy fully of all de- velopments but discussed with him the policy of the United States in event of war, particularly the possi- bility that President Roosevelt or Secretary of State Cordell Hull might make some declaration to support Great Britain in her effort to avert 8 war which now was fear ed to be an imminent threat.
 Usually reliable quarters reported that there was @ marked increase of activity between London and Washington.
 Viscount Halifax, after talking to Kennedy, crossed Downing street to confer with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. He found Sir John Si- mon, chancellor of the exchequer, and Sir Samuel Hoare, home secre- tary, already there.
 In a few minutes the "crisis crowd" jostling the policemen on guard in Downing street saw Ma jor Clement Attlee, leader of the labor party, enter to join the con- ference.
 Invited By Chamberlain
 He had been invited by Chamber lain in conformity with the proced- ure followed only at times of the gravest emergency-to inform the opposition of the governments moves and to invite its support.
 The gravity of the crisis was em- phasized when brilliant Winston Churchill, dissident conservative leader, joined the conference.
 Churchill in 1914 risked his entire career. As first lord of the admiralty he secretly ordered the grand fleet to the North Sea, few days in ad- vance of a British ultimatum to Germany. As the cabinet sat at No. 10 Downing street on the night of August 4, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith looked at the clock at mid- night, when the ultimatum expired, and announced that Britain was at war. He turned to Churchill and told him to get the fleet out.
 we are ready" Churchill said, and disclosed his order.
 Emphasized Anxiety The government, even emphasiz- ing it anxiety rather than trying to conceal 1t, was silent on its course. As the leaders conferred, Q State- ment was handed out that said merely: Tn view of statements which have appeared in the last day or so, regarding reported decisions of ministers, 1t can be stated author itatively that no such statements should be regarded as authentic"
 What could be described as au- thentic, the government did not say. But 1t was reported that 1t had de- cided to give Germany Q plain statement that if theer was war Britain would be in 1t.
 Situation Critical
 The situation was admittedly crit ical. There could be an explosion at any hour in the Czechoslovak minority dispute. France yesterday bdVC MA0 8OVGkAhhCAAv AAAOAAAA1thOAA from military and diplomatic sources of German troop movements on the Czechoslovak frontier. There was e nasty meeting of the inner council cabinet. It resulted in the following program:
 l. The government consulted the dominions on their policy in. event of Q European war.
 2. Prime Minister Neville Chain- berlain arranged to see Major Cle- ment .Attlee, leader of the labor party, chief opposition group, this morning to give him a confidential report of the situation and appeal to him for Q united British front tn national emergency.
 3. Alfred Duff Cooper, first lord of the admiralty, ordered the First mine sweeping fiotilla brought to full. strength at once and ordered four mine laying destroyers taken from the reserve and fitted ct once for grand fleet use.
 (. The government approved sec- ret precautionary military measures and discussed the advisability Ot holding open general stan Oonsulta- tions with France. It also reviewed the aircraft production program. It was understood that France,