RIDING THE STORM

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 7

RIDING THE STORM

PLIGHT OF THE CZECHS

A DEMOCRATIC ISLAND

EEACTION TO THE NAZIS

Czechoslovakia haa always been "the land in between." A glance at its past history proves that, this has been the case in some of Europe's most decisive struggles, both cultural and military, says the "Christian Science Monitor." In the Middle Ages it was Bohemia, the land of Jan Hus, which representeda sturdy Protestantism encircled by Roman Catholicism, in the Thirty Years War it was the centre of things, in the last war, the Czechs represented a solid bloc of supporters of the Allies against tne Triple Entente, and today Czechoslovakia stands as a democratic island in a sea of dictatorships. A political map of Europe, coloured according to actual rule in the various countries at the moment would show, a patch of white for Czechoslovakia, surrounded by black patches representing Germany, Poland, Eumania, Hungary, and Austria—in all of which* genuine popular government is today at a discount. ... In view of its geographical position, and because of the fact that its population includes a large percentage of races identical with those now under dictatorship, its task is not easy. The revolution in Germany, to the north ana west, particularly influenced this country, because of the 3,500,000 Germans living there. The National, Socialist accession to power was naturally unwelcome, since in the 25-point programme of that party, the unity of all Germans in a greater Germany is the first demand. To concede this, Czechoslovakia would be robbed of strips of its northern and western frontiers and its economic and geographical unity broken up. The possibility of such a break-up of Czechoslovakia is unimaginable at the present time. It is very unlikely that Sudetic Germans would themselves wish to join a National Socialist Germany. But at the same time events in Germany have had strong reaction in the country, especially-among the Czechoslovak Germans in the universities and technical colleges, among whom National Socialist tendencies have-been pronounced. NAZIS NOT STRONG. But, a's far as the majority of Germans are concerned, National Socialism has not hitherto established strong contacts. In fact, it is of interest to note that such a leading Prague German daily as the "Prague Tagblatt," which has never been sparing in its political criticisms of the Czechs, lately extolled their political sagacity, adding, "We have learned much in these days, and we appreciate more than ever such elemental facts as that we have a roof over our heads." It is a noteworthy fact, and all the more remarkable that in this country where Czechs, Slovaks, Germans, Hungarians, Euthens, and' Poles live together, no violent racialism exists. In few. countries in the world is there'less discrimination against the Jew and there is no "numerus clausus" in the higher educational institutions. Many of the intellectuals who left Germany have, found refuge in- Czechoslovakia. The reaction of events in Germany has resulted in the Czech demand for a more "militant democracy." The supporters of such an attitude maintain that unless the present democratic Government actively combats all subversive factions aimed at terror and dictatorship, untoward incidents may happen later. Constitutional opposition must be allowed, such people agree, but there is no place here for violent Fascism or Communism. The practical effect of this point of view has already been shown in sharper measures against public officials and Press which are against the State. According to a recent law, officials who are proved to be supporters of revolutionary movements can be dismissed from the service without the long disciplinary investigations, and State pensioners found guilty on such /charges ■will be deprived of their pensions. HOW THE CZECHS SEE IT. The Czechs see in German developments the practical substitution of a Prussian centralisation for German autonomy and a great part of their Press emphasises that attempts of National Socialists from Germany ,to enforce their centralisation plans in Czechoslovakia will only mean an increase of the Czechoslovak centralisation of Prague within this country. This will, of course, work against the movement for autonomy under which Germans, in particular, have greatly improved their general position in this country. Political adventures have little hope of success in this country. Profoundly sceptical by nature and endowed with a caustic sense of humour, the average Czech is far too shrewd to be enticed by vain hopes, especially if advocated' by Germans. ■ Talk of a revision of the peace treaties recently brought forth a stubborn defence of the.post-war settlement of Europe by Dr. Eduard Benes, a leading statesman. Though not absolutely excluding the possibility of revision in the future, Dr. Benes emphasised that it could only bo done in an atmosphere of peaceful collaboration between the States concerned. All changes, affecting this country, he reminded the world, would be dependent upon their acceptance by a 60 per cent, majority in the Czechoslovak Parliament. Otherwise, not peace but much greater unrest would result from forceful measures from without. UNION WITH AUSTRIA. Germany's attempts to bring about a union with Austria would also be strongly protested by this State. Meanwhile, general conditions in ' Czechoslovakia continue along normal lines. This country, as a big industrial exporter, suffers in the general world recession. Its trade balance continues to show an export surplus, though smaller than that in the same period of 1932. Much is hoped from the great loan for the creation of work which was recently successfully floated. Great employment schemes, especially in roadmaking and on the railways have been planned to reduce Czechoslovakia's unemployment, which amounted to 797,412 at the end of April, 1933. ■