CZECH MOBILISATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 8

CZECH MOBILISATION.

Many of the reports published to-day are necessarily speculative, but that which contains the news that the President of Czechoslovakia has ordered the instant mobilisation of his country's armed forces is as definite as it is ominous. It indicates that the Czechs have now resolved to fifcht if necessary. Their Government has accepted terms which are said to involve for them the loss of the Sudeten lands. Now they have a new Government, led by General Sirovy. What is not yet clear is whether this Government is mobilising the forces for the defence of the present frontier, or because it believes that th<; remainder of the State is in imminent peril. Of still greater importance is the question of whether the Czech mobilisation indicates the new Government's intention to fight, alone if it must, or whether it has had assurances of support. Meanwhile Mr. Chamberlain is returning to London, and no speculation concerning the result of hi-> negotiations with Herr Hitler should be accepted until he is able to speak. It war probably unavoidable, but it is not the less unfortunate, that throughout this crisis the j British Government could have nothing to say to the people it represents; but its silence must be broken soon, and the sooner the better.