Evening star., 1938-09-15
CREDITS DALAD|ER
FOR PEACE MOVE
Pertinax Reports Idea Of
Chamberlain Trip Was
French Premier's.
BY PERTINAX.

PARIS. Sept. l5.-The origin OF the
spectacular decision taken by Prime
Minister Chamberlain OF Great Britain
to report himself TO Berchtesgaden
today is to be found in lengthy tele-
phone talk that French Premier Dala-
der had with him during more than
two hours on Tuesday afternoon.
M. Daladier does not speak English,
and the ofncial who at drst volun-
teered to act as interpreter did not
succeed in making himself understtt Il
In Downing Street. Therefore, there
came from the British side . sugges-
ton that An appeal should be made
to Sir Eric Phipps, British Ambassa-
dor to Paris, who hastened to the seat
Of the presidency OF the Council.
Runciman Failure Cited.
The views expressed at length by
the French Premier during that ex-
traordinary conversation were that the
sands were running out speedily. that
= catastrophe might be regarded as
impending, that Viscount Runciman's
mission had failed utterly and that no
tangible result could be expected from
1t any more. that to avert war = fresh
channel Of negotiation had to be
opened without delay, and that the
only way to achieve success in that
respect was that a direct approach to
Chancellor Hitler should be made from
the British side. France, as Czechoelo-
vakias ally, not being qualified to carry
out that task.
NJ Daladier put forward that pro-
posal on the advice OF the chief off,
cials Of the Quai DOrsay, who, as al
ready indicated by this correspondent
have feared for some days lest Hitler
should have resolved to attack C1echo-
slovakia about the end Of the current
month. On Tuesday morning they
were inclined to believe that the ex-
tensive disturbances which have
broken out in Czechoslovakia as the
outcome of the vehement Nurnberg
speech by Hitler the day before might
precipitate the aggression.
Daladier Forced 70 Wait.
BY haH-past three on Wednesday
morning, word came from Downing
street that the British ministers had
under examination the French pro-
posal. that they were trying to find out
how best they could put 1t in practice,
and that their final answer would be
sent during the morning. Indeed, M.
Daladier had to wait until the after
to Hn iv,f ~ that Thov,o
berlain himself had made up his mind
to go to the Fuehrer's country seat.
Mr.. Chamberlain immediate pur-
pose, as conceived here, will be to win
Hitler to q new procedure Of negoti-
alton, and for that purpose will make
use of a phrase in last Mondays
speech to the effect that the German
government wished to bring about. il
possible, = peaceful settlement. But,
rightly or wrongly, it IS not antici-
pated here that the prime minister
will undertake to discuss in Berchtes-
gaden the substance itself of that set
tlement, as 1t IS not thought possible
that he could commit himself to any
thing in that respect without consult
ing first the two most directly inter-
ested nations. Czechoslovakia and
France.
It has been rumored tonight that
he might agree to some form Of pie
biscite or popular consultation. It will
probably be seen that there is not
any truth In it No Csechoslovak Par
lament could be found to pass the
legislation needed to enforce such a
plan. Such = move. If it were At
tempted. could not fail to arouse the
anger of the army. perhaps to pave
the way to some form of military die
tatorship and to make open resistance
to pan-Americanism more and more
intense.
= Nazis Hail Triumph.
Since the warlike danger was 30
real and even so near, hardly any one
will dare to criticize what has been
done. 1t Is already obvious that
Hitler and his clique hail As . per-
sonal triumph what they have no