MINORITY INTERESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1938, Page 9

MINORITY INTERESTS

FREEDOM OF ACTION

RESERVED

(Received September 23, 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. The Warsaw correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says there has been a noticeable cooling off of yesterday's bellicose attitude following the surrender of the Prague Government, though official feelings have been ruffled by British and French talk of a guarantee without the Polish Government being consulted. Speakers at all public meetings insist on the restoration of Teschen and Silesia. Moreover, no doubt is left in the public mind that if Germany attacks Czechoslovakia Poland will immediately follow suit. "To arms for Teschen!" were the concluding words of a speech by General Skwarczynski at a meeting of 50,000 people in Pilsudski Square today. The crowds responded: "Down with the Czech robbers," "Down with Benes." Afterwards traffic was brought to a stand- j still by a procession to the residence | of Marshal Smigly-Rydz, the crowd j shouting, "Let us go to Teschen." j The town of Teschen itself is becoming excited. Poles are alleged to| have attacked two police stations, forcing the police to flee. It is officially announced that the Polish minority occupied the Czechoslovak police stations in the Teschen district, which the Czechs have evacuated. The Polish Foreign Office has issued a statement that the Government has! reserved full freedom of action to safeguard Polish interests at Teschen. ! The message adds that Czechoslovakia has not fulfilled her promises regarding Teschen made in 1920, and says that it is deplorable that, in the plan produced after the London talks, the Poles' legitimate claims were not given attention. The Prague correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says it is reported that the Poles include in their demands Mahrisch Ostrau, although only 30 per cent, of its 125,000 inhabitants are Poles. The "Daily Herald" says that the Polish Ambassador yesterday handed the British Foreign Secretary a Note demanding an immediate settlement.