CZECHS READY TO FIGHT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22413, 28 May 1938, Page 15

CZECHS READY TO FIGHT

“Defend our Freedom To the End” CABINET POSTS FOR SUDETENS Soviet Assurances Of Support PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (Received May 28. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 27. “We are not militarists, but we are not prepared to compromise our freedom, and we will defend it to the end,” the Czech Foreign Minister (Dr. Krofta) told the Prague correspondent of the “Daily Herald.” He said that if a permanent solution of the Sudeten German problem could be achieved by including members of the Henlein Party in the Czech Cabinet he would certainly welcome it, but on two conditions. They were: (1) They must accept the Central Government’s complete authority on all questions concerning the State’s vital interests; (2) they must accept the Government’s present foreign policy. Dr. Krofta added that if all else failed, the Czechs would fight for the integrity of their State. “We are only a small nation,” he added, “but we are prepared—alone if need be —to defend our freedom.” The Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Soviet official press announces that Russia will go as far as France in defending Czechoslovakia against aggression. Apparently Moscow is now more sure of France’s attitude. “Izvestia” states: “Germany’s aggressive plan against Czechoslovakia has only been postponed—not abandoned. Nothing will appease Germany if she is convinced that military aggression will suceed. The only way to stem German aggression is to convince Berlin that the military adventure is bound to fail.” The latest dispatches to official quarters indicate that the Czechoslovakian situation is unchanged. The Czechs have ordered all aeronlanes to remain five kilometres behind the frontier, while frontier patrols are without rifles. This is easing the tension, but the German resentment against Britain contl"ues The deadlock remains between the Czech Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza) and the Sudeten leader (Herr Henlein). Dr. Hodza wants to negotiate immediately, but Herr Henlein claims that he is not ready. Importance attaches to the British Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) sending Mr William Strang, the head of the Central Department of the Foreign Office, to Prague, Berlin, and Paris, to consult the British Embassies and bring back a picture of the situation. Two German bombers flew over Asch, Herr Henlein’s birthplace, some miles inside, Czech territory. Chasers pursued the machines back to Germany.