760F.62/938: Telegram
The Minister in Czechoslovakia ( Carr ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—10:25 p.m.]
210. My telegram No. 208. The Czechoslovak reply does not accept the Anglo-French proposal but after giving reasons for non-acceptance proposes arbitration under Czechoslovak-German Treaty. If this should not be agreeable to Hitler the door is left open for further discussion. The British Minister informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs that this reply will not be acceptable to the French and British Governments and if submitted to Hitler would be likely to invite a German attack at once. British Minister has asked instructions to tell Beneš tonight that the Czech answer is unacceptable, that peace hangs by a thread and if Anglo-French proposals are not accepted the British and French would wash their hands of the matter. The Minister believes that if the proposals are promptly accepted peace can be maintained. If not we may expect the worst. He is reasonably certain as I am that this Government will accept. He expects instructions by midnight and will see the President immediately.