CZECHS' DEFENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1937, Page 17

CZECHS' DEFENCES

MILITARY SITUATION

LEADERS NOT WORRIED

The announcement by Franz Machnik, Minister of War, in the Chamber r of a far-reaching and drastic measure ! for the defence of the Republic might I suggest that the leaders of this country are prey to anxieties regarding the • military situation, writes G. E. R. ■ Gedye to the "New York Times" from Prague. i As a matter of fact, the writer found in conversations with various leaders of the Republic calm confidence and • reasoned optimism which sees in the measure further evidence of the country's strong defensive position. Mr. i Machnik, in introducing the Bill, de- • clared that circumstances obliged : children to be "trained morally and physically for the defence of the State 1 practically from the cradle." Under the Bill both sexes from the ages of 6 • to 60 are subject to "training for defence," the males for bearing arms and the females for civil air defence, Red Cross, and other auxiliary services. The preliminary training will last from 6 to 14, whence the training in auxiliary services will follow until 17. All fit males, except political suspects, will be subjected to training in arms until they are 30. Mr. Machnik further announced the- immediate construction of a great fortification system. Various leaders of the Republic with whom the writer talked point out that this measure is evidence of the country's confident self-reliance. The recurrent tours of Central and Southeastern Europe by statesmen certainly not inspired by good will towards Czechoslovakia are regarded as calmly as is the Russian military crisis. Rei garding the latter, two of the country^ highest officials assured the writer they had definite knowledge for at least six months that a liaison between certain Russian high commanders and the German General Staff had continued secretly and uninterruptedly ever since the Treaty of Rapallo. EXAGGERATED IDEAS. This liaison dictated one aspect of Germany's policy and while it is not claimed here that the Russian situation is yet entirely understood it is realised that the executions certainly served at least to sever the dangerous connection with Germany. In reply to the writer's criticism that this revealed a dangerous weakness in the Red Army as a potential aid to Czechoslovakia in the event of war it was asserted that this country's reliance on Russia was constantly exaggerated abroad. It was primarily to the west —France —that Czechoslovakia looked for support in event of an attack, the Russian alliance being merely supplementary; Czechoslovakia entirely approves the project of a Western Pact. With every month's preservation of peace, it was declared, , Czechoslovakia's own defences are becoming more formidable. Her leaders are convinced that there is not a single power which might like to embark upon an aggressive war which is not fully conscious that the reserves necessary for such an adventure are simply non-existent. Czechoslovak optimism seems entirely reasoned and open-eyed. It is not disputed, for instance, that the recent diplomatic excursions in the Balkans probably succeeded in preventing once again the realisation of Czechoslovakia's schemes for the economic cooperation and consolidation of the Danube Basin. But it is pointed out that this is no new factor; Germany and Italy for seventeen years have wrecked every plan to effect economic independence from the great Powers among the Dantibian States. Actually the position' is said to be better than ever before, for such schemes now have the enthusiastic backing of Austria, which' for years held aloof, sitting on the fence between Germany and Italy. HANGER REALISED. Hungary, although ,not willing at present to proceed further, thoroughly realises the danger to her independence in her former ruler's policy of depending on Germany and hoping thereby to frighten Czechoslovakia into surrendering territory. Since the advent of Premier Koloman Daranyi revisionist demands hay; been dropped by the Government and Hungary's discussions with Czechoslovakia on various points are proceeding in an entirely amicable manner. Incidentally, this correspondent has learned that the Hungarian Foreign Minister (Koloman de Kanya) has been informed that Czechoslovakia will not make an international incident of the eventual Hungarian demand for arms equality. Even regarding relations with Germany the official attitude is optimistic. It is'pointed out that while the recent German campaign in the Press and on the air against this Republic was at its height Germany sent economic negotiators to Czechoslovakia who offered her such favourable terms that Germany is now becoming, with the United States, the most important business friend of Czechoslovakia. The constant assertion that Czechosolvakia is isolated is considered unjustified when applied to a country protected by full defensive alliances with two great Powers, Russia and France, apart from Little Entente support and which enjoys Britain's good will and interest in her independence. When the writer objected that Czechoslovakia's allies were far away and her potential enemies near it was replied that the same applies equally to many other countries such as Rumania, Poland, and. until her recent pact with Italy, also Yugoslavia. ; "This Republic is higher than Belgium and as capable of defence and with equally powerful friends," it was said. "Even without Danubian cooperation she is as capable of a prosperous, independent existence as any other. "As for the so-called Henleir danger, the fact that little less than half of our German fellow-citizens support the Government shows it is not a racial but an ideological conflict between democracy and dictatorship such as many countries have to fight out, many in infinitely worse circumstances."