MUNICH PEACE PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 9

MUNICH PEACE PLAN

Decision to Save Nation

"DESERTED BY ALL THE STATES OF EUROPE"

Premier's Appeal For Unity

(Received October 1, noon.) PRAGUE, September 30. An official statement announces that the Government, after considering the decisions taken at the Munich conference without it and against it, has no alternative but to accept them. The Prime Minister, General Sirovy, in a broadcast address, said: '*This is the most difficult moment of my life. I have taken a decision to save the nation. A superior force has compelled us to accept. My duty was to consider everything. As a soldier I had to choose a way to peace. The national will is stronger and more united. We have chosen th€ only right course. The four Powers have decidec to ask from us the abdication of the German territories. We have had to choose between a useless fight and sacrifices, and we have accepted unheardof sacrifices. We have to choose between the deatr of the nation and the abdication of some of our territories. The main thing is that we are remaining ourselves. We must be united. I appeal to the peopk to maintain confidence in their leaders. Our mair concern must be to rebuild our State. "The terms imposed on us are unique in the history of mankind. We had to capitulate because we were deserted by all the States of Europe. We stand alone, while all round nations are armed to the teeth. We could riot allow our army, to which we give our thanks, to fight against such overwhelming odds. We call on the nation to bear its painful suffering with composure and dignity and to try to seek General Sirovy happiness within the narrower frontiers." ' . , Solemn crowds listened to the speech with utter dejection, but there were no demonstrations. General Kegel followed General Sirovy. He called on the army to remain steadfast in the face of Western Europe's categorical demand for sacrifices. The Labour leaders then appealed for the loyalty of the unions. The Czech military authorities have taken over full control of the railways. Excitement has been growing since the announcement of the agreement. The, Social Democrats are concerned with the fate of their colleagues in the Sudetenland, 50,000 of whom have already fled to inner Czechoslovakia. The full terms imposed on Czechoslovakia are unknown to the public. All radio programmes have been cancelled as a sign of national mourning, and only half-hourly news bulletins are permitted.

PRAGUE, September 30.