RUIN OF THE CZECHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1938, Page 13

RUIN OF THE CZECHS

PLACING THE BLAME

FEELING AGAINST FRANCE

AND BRITAIN

HOPELESS OUTLOOK

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, October 4.

The Prague correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says it is generally felt that Czechoslovakia has been left with no possibility of a really independent existence, and that it is therefore not surprising that many axe beginning to feel that the only course is to seek accommodation with Germany. Bitterness against Britain and France, but especially against France, is so great that many leading politicians already seem eager to do so.

A Czech military official said thatj the Germans were showing an unex-i pectedly conciliatory spirit regarding Czech arms and ammunition in - the occupied areas. "The Germans are! doing their utmost to ensure that the1 Czech army's fighting powers remain! unimpaired," he said. "Perhaps they j think that the Czech army may one day j be useful to them in helping to liberate j the German minorities in Poland and elsewhere." Throughout the Czech Press there is evidence of this complete revulsion of feeling. It Is no longer Germany but Britain and France who are held responsible for the country's ruin. SLOVAK ULTIMATUM. The Slovaks are reported to have i issued a strong ultimatum to the Czech ! Government demanding a wide degree' lof autonomy and threatening to secede j unless the demands are granted within j 24 hours. I The Hungarians are also said to be claiming a line from Brattejava to Kosice and Uzhorod, which covers much greater territory than could be

The Hungarians are also said to be claiming a line from Bratisjava to Kosice and Uzhorod, which covers much greater territory than could be achieved by a plebiscite. This would mean the complete cutting off of Czechoslovakia from the Danube,

The Prague correspondent of the "News Chronicle" says that a large section of the population is overcome with a sense of complete hopelessness. Hundreds of families in the Sudetenland are reported to have committed suicide. Fathers have killed their children and husbands and wives have shot each other rather than live under the Nazis. Many suicides occur daily at Prague among the refugees.

It is realised that the new Czechoslovakia cannot afford to harbour German refugees, thus giving Herr Hitler a possible excuse to broach the agreed frontiers.

Many hundreds of Czech citizens have returned their French decorations during the last few days, says the same corespondent.