Evening star., 1938-07-24

Csechoslopakid, is believed reluc-
family accepting London Berlin od-
ptce on minority question in
Csechoslopdkid. Also, Praha prob
ably Donld be sloD to accept a
German-otered pact OF non -aogres-
sion that might jeopardise the
Russo French Czechoslovuk aui-
nnces.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, July 23-Great Britain
strongly appealed today to Czecho-
slovakia for liberal concessions TO her
clamoring minorities to help the
promising new European appeasement
prospects.
She thus fulfilled a pledge to q
, suddenly more peacefully talking
Germany.
Basil Cochrane Newton, British
Minister to Praha, saw Premier Milan
Hodza for the second time in "a hours
after the surprise Anglo German talks
in London and Anglo French discus
sions in Paris on the central European
problem.
He carried out what were described
authoritatively as certain assurances"
given by Prime Minister Neville Cham
berlain yesterday to Dr. Herbert Won
Dirksen, German Ambassador to Lon
don, on the use of British influence
with Praha in the handling of minority
autonomy demands.
Czech Position Unknown.
Whether these assurances envisaged
greater concessions to the Germanic
minority than Czechoslovakia felt her
self able to make, and still retain her
sovereignty, was undisclosed.
But it was clear both here and in
praha that the new British action,
backed by France, south the fullest
measure of autonomy possible for
minorities within the war-created re-
public.
Prospects for an early resumption
OF broadscale Anglo German political
negotiations were heightened by reas-
surances Of Germany's peaceful inten-
tions. These were conveyed to Britain
by Won Dirksen and Adolph Hitler's
adjutant, Capt. Fritz Wiedemann, Just
before and during the state visit OF
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
to France.
Germanys reaSSurances indicated a
more conciliatory attitude on her part
toward the Czechoslovak minority
problem which now is the chief barrier
to Anglo o-German friendship.
France called home her Ambassador
to Berlin, Andre Francois -Poncet, in
the sudden squirt of diplomatic activity
over Czechoslovakia.
This gave rise to reports Germany
was seeking a four-power meeting
among Germany, Italy. Britain and
France to work out a solution of he,
neighbor's problem.
Official quarters in London denied
however, that ANY new suggestion
was under discussion" in the converse
don Prime Minister Chamberlain had
with Won Dirksen.
French quarters also disclaimec
knowledge of such proposal anc
quickly voiced objections to any con.
ference on Czechoslovakia which ex.
cluded the Czechoslovak government
and Soviet Russia.
Despite widely expressed desires fol
an early solution of the Czechosloval
issue. most competent observers be.
lieved months of effort still lay ahead
General War Chance Less.
The professions of Germany's peace.
full intentions on the other hand les.
sened some anxiety over the posi-
bility Of an outright clash which might
start general war.
They also gave Chamberlain fresh
hope for eventual success of his gen.
efal appeasement policy and ammuni.
ton to defend 1t in the last foreign
affairs debate in the House of Com.
mons before Parliament adjourns al
the end of next week.
His policy OF non-intervention ir
Spain and the possibility he might
make new concessions to Italy during
the summer recess to get into forct
the Anglo Italian Easter pact promised
to be the main points in the opposi.
ton attack in the debate Tuesday.
The opposition also awaited th'
Prime Minister'S answer to memo
randum on alleged deficiencies in tn,
air rearmament program before de-
Gliding whether to make this the bash
for new attack on the government
before Parliament's adjournment.
A new step in air expansion mean.
while was announced by Sir Kingsle!
Wood, air secretary.
1t Is a civil air guard, to be headee
by Lord Londonderry, aimed at pro
viding men and women with flyinf
knowledge who would offer their serv'
ices Immediately in any emergency.
1t will be open to men and woner
between the ages of 18 and so who
will be trained through light airplan.
clubs subsidized by the government.
Sudeten Leaders Consulted.
PRAHA, Czechoslovakia, July % (E1
Premier Milan Hodza received Ernst
Kundt and Alfred Rosche, Sudeter
German leaders, today following hi.
second conference in "a hours with
British Minister Basil Cochrane New
ton.
He informed them in detail of the
governments program for the ensuing
week in its work of attempting to solv.
the issue precipitated by minority de-
mands for autonomy.
The government was expected BY
next Tuesday to be able at last to
submit to the various minorities It's
drafts Of a nationalities statute, law
regarding language and administrative