GERMANS AND CZECHS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 12

GERMANS AND CZECHS

DR. BENES’S WAY. When General Franco looked like winning quickly it was inevitable that that section of the ruling caste in Germany which favours a more and more spirited foreign policy should play with the idea of another civil war nearer home which might be made to serve the German cause. It was thought that simultaneously uprisings in the German-speaking parts of Bohemia anil in Slovakia would prove too much for the Prague Government, especially if “non-interven-tion” were strictly enforced (writes A. 11. Brodrick, in the London ‘‘Sunday Times”). But the situation has changed. Ihe Czechoslovak Government is taking steps to remedy some of the more crying grievances of the German and Slovak minorities. The Slovaks, who, as a whole, have no great love for the ruling Czech oligarchy, have no desire to fall again under the. heavy yoke Of the Magyars. The Sudetes, or German-speaking inhabitants of the country, feel themselves German to a man, but they do not, of necessity, want to become citizens of the Third Reich.

Herr Konrad Henlein, the leader of the Sudeten German Party, claims that it represents seventy-five percent. of the German population. A short time ago he presented in its name to the Czech Government a demand for local autonomy. This request was categorically refused, and it is indeed difficult to see how Dr. Benes and his advisers could assent to a measure which might, _ in effect, place the western and northern frontiers of Bohemia under German control. The refusal was, however, softened by the promise of a number of minor reforms, but it has, of course, been exploited to the full by Berlin.

According to the German Press, over three thousand Sudetes are in prison for political offences, and not a day passes without the newspapers in Germany containing some attack on the Prague Government. Dr. Goebbels summol up the official attitude recently when he said “Czechoslovakia is the aeroplane carrier of Moscow . . . her alliance with Soviet Russia is a great danger for western Europe.” For foreign consumption.. Czechoslovakia is represented as a Bolshevist colony, and corrupt oppressor of German and other national minorities.

CZECH “REGIONALISM.” The Czech leaders are keenly aware of the dangers which beset their country. It is exposed to continuous pressure from the Reich, to the sullen infinity of Poland, to the lukewarmness of the official allies Rumania and Jugoslavia and to the undying hatred of Hungary. The major allies of Czechoslovakia —Russia and France — are tar off and with them' she has no common frontier. On the other hand the financial condition of the country is better than that of some of its neighbours ,and it stands to gain by the rise in foodstuff prices since one half of the land is engaged in agriculture. The cost of living is low. You can buy an excellent pair of shoes for seven shillings. By a skilfully managed devaluation the industries have been kept going. Dr. Benes, who is one of the most prudent and practised of statesmen, secs salvation in “regionalism”—that is, in administrative decentralisation. The autonomy of the Ruthenians or Little Russians in the East is beingprepared under the supervision of M. Hodza, the Prime Minister. Negotiations are in progress with the representatives of the Hungairan and Polish minorities. How far concessions will go and how real they will be, must largely depend on how strong, how weak, or how much menaced from abroad the Prague Government may feel itself. We should realise that in Czechoslovakia, as to a lesser extent in France and in Russia, the pronouncements made by responsible British statesmen are interpreted as meaning that Great Britain is. interested in the future of Czechoslovakia.

Il cannot bo denied that the Sudetes have had much to complain of, and their economic distress is real enough, but their outspoken hostility to the. central Government has hitherto made negotiation difficult. Now there is a change of attitude, and the German leaders themselves admit the honesty and loyalty of Dr. Benes and of M. Hodza. It remains to be seen whether, in this new atmosphere., an agreement can be concluded which is l oth, satisfactory to the Sudetes and acceptable to the Prague Government or whether the leaders of the Germans are too powerfully influenced from Berlin to be able and willing to give up their extreme claims. Rising prices throughout the world, the return of prosperity, the manifold difficulties of the Reich and the antiNazi feelings of many_of the Sudetes themselves make it probable that some working compromise will be found.

There are. however, plenty of people in high places in Berlin who have not given up hopes of being able to deal with the Czechs so rapidly that Europe would be faced with a fait accompli. There is the powerful • Lett" wing of the Nazis represented by Goebbels. Himmler. Rosenberg, and others who are in favour of spectacular foreign action. There is the •‘Right’’ wing of the party which to some extent, shares the views of the •General Staff that Germany is unprepared for adventures which might lead to armed conflict. Those who hold this opinion might, however, in certain circumstances of interna] politics, be ready to exploit any more c.r less, spontaneous movement which might bteak out in Czechoslovakia. Then there is. of course, the Wilhelmstrasse. which is op,posed to anything which might complicate Germany’s already diflicult diplomatic situation ami antagonise litis country. Hitler is becoming more ami more a.'i aloof and Olympian figure. His naim is .-acrosa tmt. Almost any criticism will Im forgiven the H.ri i-_im r save disparaging or slighting reference' to the Fnhrer. It might l-e well to watch carefully for any changes in title or office. Should, lor instance. Goering be appointed Clmmelior and Hitler’s Withdrawal from the immediate control of affairs I

I-. thereby oflicialty established, we might be entering upon a period of adventure which if it were successful would make Hitler a theocrat and if nn success fill would cause the fall of the Chancellor. A good many signs point to the probability of some such changes in lite not. distant future.