DISTURBED EUROPE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1938, Page 7

DISTURBED EUROPE

NEW CZECH POLICY

“WILL ADJUST OURSELVES”

[by CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Reed. Dec. 14, 1 p.m.). PRAGUE, December 13

M. Beran, in a statement on foreign policy, said that the foremost task would be the establishment of friendship with Germany. He hoped Hitler would understand the mind of the Czech people, after the recent storms. “We will adjust ourselves,” he said, “to what is absolutely inevitable, without renouncing our inalienable rights or the national interest. We will also seek relations with England, France, the United States, Poland and Hungary. Events in Europe do not permit optimism, but, because of the urgency of internal reconstructions, Czechoslovakia has no desire to reenter the international sphere.” A Bill has been introduced, enabling the Government to rule by decree, for two years, with power to alter the Constitution. The decrees issued during the crisis, limiting the freedom of the Press, meetings, and propaganda, have been extended for three months.

MEMEL CONTROVERSY

GOVT. RESIGNATION DEMANDED

LONDON, December 13.

The British United Press Memel correspondent says the demand to the Lithuanian Government to resign, to be replaced by the exiled ex-Dictator Valdemaras, was made by a meeting of 2000 members of the Lithuanian parties, on the ground that the Government had surrendered to Poland, and alienated Germany.

GERMAN RESERVISTS

(Recd. December 14, 8 a.m.) VIENNA, December 13.

A large number of reservists have been ordered to stand by for special military exercises, beginning in January. Observers point out an earlier order also embraced reservists throughout Germany, coinciding with the British army manoeuvres, which have been described as almost a full mobilisation test.

POLISH UKRAINE.

(Recd. Dec. 14, 10.30 a.m.). LONDON, December 13.

The “Manchester Guardian” says:— The problem of Polish Ukraine is more serious than that of Memel, and already a Ukrainian force is being formed in Carpathian Ruthenia. to which German officers are being drafted The situation will probably be most acute in February. Wellinformed circles express the opinion that the trouble can be solved without war, though it will create difficult problems for the Western Powers. ■With regards to Memel, it is believed the Lithuanians will accept “peaceful co-operation,” thereby coming under German protection.