INSIDE STORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 46, 4 December 1945, Page 4

INSIDE STORY

GERMAN DECEIT CONQUEST OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA SETTING FOR MUNICH PACT (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 1.30.) NUREMBERG, Doc. 3. Opening the prosecution’s case on Czechoslovakia at the war criminals trial, the American prosecutor, Mr Sidney Alderman, described how Germany planned the conquest of her neighbour against a background of friendly diplomatic relations.

Goerihg nodded his agreement when Mr Alderman quoted him as saying: “1 give my word of honour that Germany has no aggressive intentions toward Czechoslovakia.” Conquest had reached Hie stage ol practical planning, however, by Ihe middle of April, 1.938, said Mr Alderman. Continuing the presentation of 70 documents dealing with the conquest of Czechoslovakia, Mr Aiderman read a secret directive, dated May 30, 1938, in which Hitler disclosed iiis unalterable decision to smash Czechoslovakia in the near future. Keitel transmitted the order to the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force with a footnote: “Execution must be assured by October 1, 1938, at the latest.” Mr Alderman then presented Germany’s “red plan” for the Western campaign, prefaced by a General Staff report dated August 25, 1938, stating: “The basic assumption is that France will declare war during the ‘green plan.’ Britain will follow and Russia probably will immediately side with the Western Powers.” Target Maps Completed The General Staff report. showed that the Germans completed before September, 1938, target maps of London and Hull docks, Britain’s food and oil systems and airfields. The report listed French targets as number one priority, after which the- iuuftwaffe would attack Britain’s food supply, notably London, but only if strongforces were available because of the strength of London’s defences. Mr Alderman pointed out that Hungary from the first was considered a possible participant. “Green plan’.’ records of the secret conference between Ribbentrop and Hungarian envoys on August 23, 1938, reported him as saying: “Britain and France will remain tranquil, because- England will not needlessly risk her Empire.” Mr Alderman read a document which lie- said demonstrated beyond the slightest doubt the complicity of the General Staff on the shameful fabrication incident as an excuse for war. The document was signed by Keitel, and declared: “The ‘green plan’ will be set in motion by means of an incident in Czechoslovakia which will give Germany provocation for military in-' tervention.” The document emphasised the utmost importance to fixing the exact time for the incident when weather conditions were- favourable for Germany’s superior air forces.- In discussions between Hitler and Admiral Horthy six months before the Munich settlement, Hitler remarked that if Hungary wanted to participate in “eating” her neighbours she must participate in the “cooking” by taking part in the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Poison Gas Episode One High Command document dealing with projected'violations of international law said that the use of poison gas could be ordered after the publication of a report that the Czechs had already used it. If it were possible to prove the assertion that the Czechs used a prohibited gas, it must be given out to the public, but it the assertion was unfounded or only partially founded, then the German gas attack would be represented as the need for carrying out a justified reprisal in the same way as the Italians did in the Abyssinian war. Mr Alderman after the adjournment dealt with what he called the inside story of the setting for Munich. “We are now able to spread over the pages of history the truth about the fraud and deceit which the Nazi conspirators practised in achieving the Munich pact as a stepping stone for further aggression’’ said the prosecutor. “Hope for peace after Munich was a snare carefully set up by the men whose evil character is demonstrated by their own documents.” The documents showed that whereas Mr Chamberlain signed the Munich agreement under the threat of war from Germany and Italy the Axis) had already decided to go to war.' Moreover, the order, signed by Jodi, showed that two deathshead battalions were operating across the Czech border before the Munich Pact was signed. The tribunal adjourned.