CZECH MINORITY PROBLEM

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22464, 27 July 1938, Page 11

CZECH MINORITY PROBLEM

Outside Mediation Suggested NEGOTIATIONS MAY COLLAPSE Britain and France Prepare to Act - (TOTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received July 26, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. The Associated Press understands that if the direct negotiations between the Czech Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza) and the Sudeten leader (Herr Henlein) for a settlement of the minorities’ dispute collapse—of which there is every likelihood in spite of the strong efforts of Britain and France to prevent a deadlock—the British and French Governments will submit a plan for outside mediation. This is the present position, and it Is the real meaning of the conversations conducted by Herr Hitler’s aide-de-camp. Captain Wiedemann, and the German Ambassador (Dr. von Dircksen) with the British Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) and the British Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax). The position will be much clearer after Lord Halifax’s return from Paris. Britain and France are determined to do their utmost to avert a crisis, and they agree that they must not be suddenly confronted with such a position without preparing other means for a solution. Mr Chamberlain will make a statement in the House of Commons to-morrow. Lord Runciman May Advise A copyright message from “The Times” states:— . The main negotiations between the , Czech Government and the Sudeten Germans are expected to begin in Prague next week, probably in the presence of Viscount .Runciman. The President (Dr. Benes) and the Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza) have informed the British Government that they are prepared to go the full limit of the advice that ’ Lord Runciman may give—as long as the sovereignty of the Czechoslovak State is safeguarded. “I absolutely rule out war as a means of solving the Sudeten problem,” Herr Henlein told a special correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” at Eger. “There will be no war as far as we are concerned. We do not want, our homes converted into battlefields.” Nevertheless, he could not deny that serious internal disorders would be likely if a settlement were much longer delayed. “We do not ask for annexation to Germany,” Herr Henlein continued. “We are not opposed to the Czech State, but we are definitely opposed to the oppression of the existing regime. We resent being treated like Africans subject to alien overseers. “I repeat that nothing short of full autonomy will be acceptable to us. We are prepared to leave defence and foreign affairs in the hands of the Central Government, but everything else must be left to the autonomous nationality groups.” The position of national minorities In Czechoslovakia assumed urgent importance after the annexation of Austria on March 11, when Herr Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudeten Germany Party, made a formal demand to the Czech Government for the grant of autonomy to the 3,000,000 Germans resident in Czechoslovakia. The position of the Czech Government had been stated by the President (Dr. Eduard Benes) on March 4 in a reply to a speech by Herr Hitler on the future of German minorities abroad. Dr Benes laid down five main points; (1) Czechoslovakia can never discuss the problem of minorities officially with Germany: (2) she regards federal autonomy for the German minority’as impossible; (3) she nevertheless recognises the moral right of Europe to take an interest in the question; (4) she regards an improvement of her relations with Germany as vital; / (5) she is therefore prepared to make a contribution to any general European settlement. In a further statement on March 28, the Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza) said the Government was preparing to modify all the minority law to prepare a base for the settlement of the issues in dispute. This would apply not only to Germans but to all national minorities. "We are entering on a new phase of our minority policy," he said. “But such a policy has to be based on three principles: First, the integrity of the State; second, on the Constitution; and third, on the .’principle that neither Germans, HunRussians nor Poles, and, of • course, no Czechs or Slovaks, must be denationalised. The Government will in no circumstances yield to moral, economic or political pressure.” Suggested Solutions A few weeks after this statement Jvas made, the Polish minority, numbering about 80,000, joined the Sudeten . Germans in putting forward demands for. autonomy, and similar demands Were made by the Hungarian minority. Serious frontier incidents and a vitriolic German press campaign seemed likely to involve Europe in a ne w w ar , but the bringing to bear of me full weight of British and French diplomatic influence and the French Government’s declaration that it would come to the aid of Czechoslovakia should she be attacked by Germany, re |jiilted in an easing of the tension. The Sudeten German leader, Herr Henlein, gave a special interview to Mr G. Ward Price, of the London Daily Mail,” on May 26, in which he said: “By next autumn a solution must be found for the Sudeteh question. The political fermentation in mis country is poisoning • the whole GentraJ European situation. If it were to continue, it might before long lead *2 a war so universally ruinous that *he only fate left for the Europeans who survived would be to go and beg lor bananas in Africa.” nerr Henlein said there were three possible solutions: The concession of tun local autonomy to the Sudeten Germans; failing that, the holding of a plebiscite—under foreign control to s ?^ re free voting—on the question of either remaining in Czechoslovakia or doming up with Germany; or (if Czech repression of the Sudetens went on) direct action by the German Govern

ment to bring them within the frontiers of the Reich. Shortly after this statement by Herr Henlein. Dr. Hodza declared he was ready to grant “auto-administration” to the Sudeten Germans, adding: “The Germans, forming 22 per cent, of the national population, will have access to 22 per cent, of the administrative posts, and other minorities a similar proportional access."