2ty* Auckland Star WITH WHICH IKB IXCORPOBATED 3ty* Corning Hirma. HCorning Jfctna, ®tft £rh;n and $ljr &ntu – m For the ctruse that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that ice can do. '

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 8

2ty* Auckland Star WITH WHICH IKB IXCORPOBATED 3ty* Corning Hirma. HCorning Jfctna, ®tft £rh;n and $ljr &ntu - m For the ctruse that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that ice can do. '

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1938.

SUSPENSE IN EUROPE.

The prompt and boldly courageous action of the Czechoslovak Government has apparently restored the essentials of order in the Sudeten area. Herr Henlein and some of the most militant of his supporters have fled across the border into Germany, and arc there forming a " Volunteer Corps," which immediately recalls to mind the former existence of the "Austrian Legion," which was maintained in Germany until the German troops marched into Austria. That Germany, while supposedly discussing with Britain and France a peaceful solution of the Sudeten problem, should permit the organisation of this body of rebels against a Government with which it still maintains diplomatic relations, is ominous. It suggests that, whatever the nature and outcome of Mr. Chamberlain's discussions at Berchtesgaden, the German leader reserves the right, and is preparing, to solve the problem in his own way if necessary. The judge of necessity will be himself. Certainly, any compromise which, can now be suggested by Britain and France will be exposed, even more than before, to the criticism that concessions to the German point of view have been extorted by the threat of force.

The British Government, having considered Mr. Chamberlain's report, has not spoken, and the inference drawn is that efforts are being made to devise a plan for submission both to Herr Hitler and the Prague Government. That Government, evidently fearful of what may be proposed, has announced that it will not accept responsibility for decisions made without consulting it, and its Prime Minister has publicly ueclared that the idea of a plebiscite is not acceptable. . This "no ;ompromise " attitude of the Czech Government, matched by the similar attitude of the Germans, would seem to spell the failure of any plan that may be mooted by the other Powers. continues in a state which has been aptly described as " neither one thing nor the other—neither peace nor war," and if there is no unmistakable sign that war is nearer, neither is there a sign that the British Government's peace-making efforts are likely to be successful.