New Cabinet Chosen At Prague

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 7

New Cabinet Chosen At Prague

HODZA RESIGNS

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER UNCHANGED

Army Chief As Premier

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Ree. 12 noon.) LONDON, September 22. The Czech Government, under Dr. Hodza, resigned and Dr. Benes, President, later announced that he had formed another Cabinet by General Sirovy, who has only one eye and is Inspector-General of the Army. The Cabinet includes the following:— Prime Minister and War Minister, Inspector-General Sirovy. Foreign Minister, M. Krofta. Finance Minister, M. Kalfus. Others are M. Czerny. probably Minister of the Interior; M. Zenkel, Lord Mayor of Prague: M. Bukovsky, chief of the Sokol organisation; and M. Vavrecka, recently Minister of Propaganda. Dr. Krofta, who remains as Foreign Minister, is the only member of the old Cabinet left. The new Ministry consists entirely of civil servants and non-political members. Reuter's Prague correspondent says that political affairs remain in the hands of Dr. Hodza, M. Czernim, M. Bechinyo and M. Sramek, who were the previous Inner Cabinet. The Cabinet does not include Communists. Ready For Contingencies. Dr. Benes, broadcasting, said: "We are ready for every possibility, and plans have been made for all contingencies. I the people to remain quiet and face the situation with composure.** Another broadcast asked all former legionnaires to hold themselves ready to serve the country if necessary. M. Zinkler, Lord Mayor of Prague, in a dramatic morning broadcast, announced that a new Ministry would be formed. He declared: "We are lull of confidence in Dr. Benes, and must enable him to lead the v ßepublic to a new life." He added that he understood the anguish of the people, but appealed for otherwise the enemies of the Republic would be aided. "If others desert us in these fateful hours, that is no reason for us to desert our own cause. The situation is so difficult that we cannot afford to lose our heads and strong hearts." Most of the Czech newspapers print the official announcement of capitulation in black borders. Some journals have blank spaces as the result of censorship. Churches were crowded. Demonstrations are spreading in the provinces. Crowds outside Dr. Benes palace shouted: Give us arms. Save Czechoslovakia."