The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-30

conciliatory attitude more difficult for Hitler. At the sametime, the ministers do not wish to leave Hitler in doubt as to Britain's intentions.
 Ready to Fight
 One highly informed source tolo the United Press:
 T believe the cabinet showed that if necessary, Britain is ready to fight"
 Somewhat contrary to expecta- tions, not only Chamberlain but Halifax adopted the firmest line all during the meeting.
 A usually trustworthy source said the cabinet also decided to under take naval preparations, the exact character of which naturally will be highly secret but eliminating ir the September maneuvers in the North Sea.
 Chamberlain and Halifax assured their colleagues that latest advice! from Paris made it clear that France feels strong and eager to continue a policy of complete alliance witf Britain.
 French Cabinet
 The French cabinet was under stood to have considered the ad. visibility of display of strength by the French army or British navy already ordered to the North Ses with plenty of Hives ammunition as premonitory hint to Germany.
 The French cabinet also was un' derstood to have decided to advise possible allies, such as Russia, Pc. land, Jugoslovakia and Rumania that France intends to stand by Czechoslovakia if peaceful mean! fail, and to ask those government. where they will stand.
 The British cabin0c met here 1T an atmosphere by the greatest ten. sion in months.
 It was the most important cab. inet meeting since the fear of wal gripped all Europe last March. wher Germany absorbed Austria. No mar or woman In the crowd that watch. ed outside No. 10 Downing stree knew whether, in few weeks Grea Britain and France would be allied again in a war against Germany.
 The money and stock markets barometers of crisis, were eloquent The pound sterling dropped to it lowest point, as compared with thu American dollar, since April l, 193! l-$486 3-4. The gold price rocketec from 142 shillings 1-2 pence to IA: shillings II pence, the highest pric, since May, 1885, and Swiss francs and netherlands guilders slumpet because continental buyers wer' rushing the market here for dollars Stocks were cratic.
 Britain Must Follow
 It seemed more and more certain that if Germany took action agains Czechoslovakia, and Franceand Rus sia were drawn into it in turn, Bri tain must follow.
 There was an atmosphere abou Downing street that comes only il times of greatest gravity. An hou before the cabinet meeting, wher Prime Minister Neville Chamber lain and his wife left their officia residence at No. 10 for their usua stroll in St. James Park nearby there was already a considerable crowd. Chamberlain smiled a shouts of greetings, and he halted to pose for a battery of news cam eras.
 A quarter of an hour before thu meeting, the crowd was unwieldy and a call was sent to the Cannor Row police station at Scotland Yard, up the street, for police rein. forcements.
 Viscount Halifax, foreign secret. tary, entered the courtyard of tht foreign office, across t':e street iron No. 10, to cheers.
 Sir Kingsley Wood, new air min. ister, was first to arrive. Othel ministers followed. Then came Sil Thomas Inskip, minister for de. fense coordination. Next came Al. fred Duff Cooper, first lord of tho admiralty. He had hurried up from Gravesend, where he arrived only this morning in the admiralty yacht Enchantress from Baltic seq cruise. AS he entered Downing street from Whitehall, Leslie Hore. Belisha, war minister, arrived from the other end of the street, up tht steps from St. James park. Wis. ha Int coropIiroo optary vofa t0 for.