PRAGUE EXPECTS GERMAN INVASION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 11

PRAGUE EXPECTS GERMAN INVASION.

BEGIN ANY MOMENT.

Journalist's View of Czech

Temper.

FACE WHATEVER COMES,

United Tress Association.—Copyright.

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

LOXDOX, September 16.

The silence of official circles regarding Mr. Chamberlain's policy is disturbing oppositionists who fear that it suggests a repetition of Sir .Samuel Hoare's policy regarding Abyssinia.

Ihe "Daily Telegraph" Prajnie correspondent says it would be criminal to disguise the fat't that whatever optimism there is elsewhere, Prague expects an invasion and violent air attacks from Germany to begin at any moment.

Ihe temper of the Czechs at present is such that the Government dare not consent to the plebiscite proposal. Any attempt to uo so would result in a military dictatorship temporarily superseding the Parliamentary system.

Czechoslovakia feels that the time for further concessions is past and is determined to face whatever may come resolutely and courageously. The situation is considered so grave that official circles believe only a public unequivocal warning by Britain, France and Russia would restrain Germany from an act of aggression, for which all preparations are now completed.

Germany has now enclosed Czechoslovakia's frontier with a girdle of troops.

The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says the possibility of Germany taking action in the week-end to "protect" Sudetens if the situation is regarded as intolerable cannot altogether be excluded.

The Press emphasises that Herr Hitler gave no pledges to Mr. Chamberlain and does not intend retreating an inch from the Nuremberg position nor will German pressure on Prague slacken, pending the next meeting of Mr. Chamberlain and Herr Hitler.

Financial circles suspect that Mr. Chamberlain's visit is merely a lull in the storm. The Bourse broke sharply.

The Paris Bourse is disappointed at the trend of events and lost yesterday's gain, says the "Daily Telegraph" representative.

The National Council of Labour agreed not to countenance a plebiscite in Czechoslovakia. It reaffirmed the Blackpool declaration.