760F.62/271: Telegram
The Minister in Czechoslovakia (Carr) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—1:40 p.m.]
88. In reply to my questions this morning the Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the situation here is easier, that he has no fear of a military attack by Germany, that he has a positive statement from the German Government that it does not intend to attack this country but desires a peaceful solution of the questions between this Government and the Sudeten Germans and is consequently counselling the latter to be moderate. Replying to my inquiry as to how long he thought this assurance valid, he said “for the present”. He added that Germany’s attitude was due to her fear of a European war for which her army is not prepared.
He said that the positive declaration of France of her intention to come to the aid of Czechoslovakia if attacked and the real interest shown by the British Government have had a definite effect on the [Page 506] situation and another factor is that when Hitler was in Rome Mussolini gave him clearly to understand that he was not disinterested in the Central European region.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that Henlein’s visit to London had had a good effect upon him and was causing him to be more moderate and that the Government expects to commence negotiations with him within the next few days. This morning’s press states that the Committee of Political Ministers concluded its discussions of the nationalities statute in principle yesterday and that the Prime Minister will begin direct negotiations with the representatives of the German, Hungarian and Polish minorities within the next few days.
The Swiss and Danish Ministers who have been in touch with some of the Sudeten German leaders told me yesterday that those leaders feel that they have gone too far in their demands and now desire to find a possible compromise. There is some fear, however, that the leaders may not be able to control their followers who have been so influenced by propaganda that they do not reason and may get out of control.