CZECHOSLOVAKIAN AERODROMES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 13

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN AERODROMES

INSPECTION BY BRITAIN

DESIRE NOT TO OFFEND GERMANY

(Received January 30, 1.33 a.m.)

LONDON, January 29.

The “Morning Post” says that the announcement of Lord Cranbourne (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) that Britain had decided to reverse her decision not to send an officer to Czechoslovakia, to inspect aerodromes because of German allegations of Soviet influence, has caused surprise. It is understood that the real motive is the desire not to offend Germany. It is already known in London that there are not any Soviet aerodromes in Czechoslovakia- For this reason the visit of inspection can only expose the falsity of the German anti-Czechoslovak press campaign.

A message printed yesterday stated that Lord Cranbourne had said that the British Government appreciated the invitation by Czechoslovakia to send a British military officer to inspect its aerodromes. The Government, however, felt that it would be impossible for a member of his Majesty's legation individually to make such an investigation, and thus to intervene in a controversy • between two foreign States, in which the Government had no direct national concern.

The Czechoslovakian request originated in recent complaints by Germany that Russia was assisting Czechoslovakia in reorganising her air force, in * return for the right to landing grounds in Czechoslovakia and other privileges.