OFFICIAL BELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 60, 8 September 1938, Page 9

OFFICIAL BELIEF

HENLEIN PROVOCATION

ALLEGED INCIDENTS

USE OF WHIPS BY POLICE

(Received September 8, 1.20 p.m.)

PRAGUE, September 7,

The Sudeten Germans allege that deputies and party members were "brutally beaten with riding-whips by police" at Mahrisch Ostrau, a northern Moravian industrial town which is predominately Czech but includes 20,000 Germans. The Sudetens add that deputies were roughly treated by police and people of the town. The Prague correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says officials believe that members of the Henlein Party are deliberately provoking incidents in order to provide ah excuse for evading discussion on the proposals and perhaps to provoke even more serious international developments. The official version is that demonstrations began outside the prison, where arms smugglers and espionage prisoners are held. The demonstrators included 300 Henleinists. Mounted and foot police intervened, but without drawing their truncheons. A Henleinist deputation then protested to the police directorate alleging brutality to members of the Henlein Party. No action has been taken against the Czechs. Investigation of a deputy's charge that he had been brutally beaten revealed that he caught, at the reins of a police horse, endeavoured to turn its head, and was struck across the hand with a riding-whip. There was no other violence. INVESTIGATION PROMISED. The Premier, Dr. Hodza, announced that the incidents at Mahrisch Ostrau would be investigated, and promised that those found guilty would be punished and that measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence. Renter's correspondent at Prague says that after a conference between Dr. Hodza and representatives of the Henlein Party it had been agreed to reconsider the decision to break oft the negotiations. Reuters correspondent at Berlin says German political authorities declare that the new development has created a dangerous situation, showing that the Czech Government is too weak to cope with trouble-makers. The "DaiTy Telegraph" says that clearly the s tuation has taken a graver turn. Members of Cabinet are suspending plans to leave London and are awaiting a conference tomorrow between the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, and the Prime Minister.