BLOW AT WORLD SECURITY

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

BLOW AT WORLD SECURITY

Russia Denounces Nazi Action

“AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT” MOSCOW, March 19. “In the opinion of the Soviet, Germany’s action not only fails to remove the threat to general peace, but strengthens such danger,” declares a letter which the Soviet Foreign. Commissar, M. Litvinov, handed to the German Ambassador today. “It is disturbing to the political stability of central Europe, and increases the elements for war which previously existed, striking a new blow at the security of peoples.” After rejecting Germany's “justification” for her annexation, the letter declares that the reasons for the invasion do not accord with the facts known to the whole world.

“It is difficult to believe that any people would agree to the destruction of their independence and their inclusion within another State, specially a people who for hundreds of years have struggled for independence, and for 20 years have preserved that independence.

“The President of Czechoslovakia, in signing the declaration in Berlin on March 15, had no authorization whatsoever from his people. He acted in flagrant contradiction of the Czech Constitution and the will of his people. “The principle of self-determination for peoples, to which Germany often refers, presupposes free expression of the will of a people, which cannot be substituted by the will of one or another person, no matter how highly placed. “In the absence of any expression of will by the Czechs, the occupation by German, troops and the subsequent action by the German Government cctnnot but be recognized as as violent as it is aggressive. The proposed amendment of the Slovak Statutes is also not justified by the people’s approbation. Germany’s action has resulted in a rude invasion of Ruthenia by Hungary and a violation of the elementary rights of the population. A spokesman says that M. Litvinov’s letter indicates clearly enough what would be Russia’s attitude in the event of similar aggression against Hungary and Rumania, but that no promises have been given in either case.