SOLEMN PROTEST BY DR. BENES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 9

SOLEMN PROTEST BY DR. BENES

Appeal To Four' Powers CHICAGO, March 17. The former Czech President, Dr. Benes, has telegraphed to President Roosevelt, the British Prime Minister, the French Premier, and M. Litvinov, the Soviet Foreign Commissar, as follows: —‘The Czechoslovak people have been the victims of a great international crime. They cannot protest, and because of the happenings of the last month they cannot defend themselves. Therefore I, as their former President, address this solemn protest to you. “Last September the Franco-British proposals and later the Munich decision were presented to me. Both documents contained a promise and guarantee of the integrity and security of Czechoslovak territory. Both: asked unheard-of sacrifices in the interests of European peace. These sacrifices were made. Nevertheless, one of the Powers which signed the Munich Agreement is now dividing our territory and establishing a “protectorate” under a threat of force.

“Before the conscience of the world and before history I am obliged to proclaim that the Czechs and the Slovaks will never accept this unbearable imposition on their sacred rights and will never cease to struggle till these rights have been reinstated. I entreat your Government to refuse to recognize this crime and to assume the consequences which today’s tragic situation in Europe and the world urgently requires.”