BENES FACES “FATEFUL HOUR”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22571, 26 February 1948, Page 5

BENES FACES “FATEFUL HOUR”

' INSISTENCE ON PARLIAMENTARY RULE “POWERFUL FORCES SHAPING SITUATION” (11.30 a.m.) PRAGUE, Feb. 25. The. President, Dr. E. P>enes, in a letter which lie handed to 111. Gottwald after two and a-half hours’ audience, stated that since he was convinced that democracy was the only reliable and lasting fotindation of decent, dignified human life, he insisted on a Parliamentary democracy and Parliamentary Government on the basis of the national front which existed before the crisis.

World Happenings Recalled “I feel fully and heavily my great responsibility in this fateful hour,” he declared- “I from the first moment of the present crisis, have been associating these our events with the great world happenings and developments, trying to see clearly not only the momentary situation but also the reasons leading to it and the consequences of this or that decision. “I am perfectly aware of those powerful forces shaping the present situation.” Dr. Benes added: “I consider that all political parties . united jn a national front to be the bearers of political responsibility The principle of a national front, which proved its value until the crisis began, has not been defeated," Dt Benes said that his views on the necessary Parliamentary procedure related to the formal side of the situation. As to the personal side it was clear to him that Dr Gottwald leader of the strongest party, would head the Government—“it is the way of life Which the overwhelming part of our nation desires.” Communists’ Refusal Tire Communist Party presidium, replying to Dr. Benes’ letter, said the party could not negotiate with the present leadership of the National Socialist '’’copies and Democratic Parties. “Recent events have proved indisputably that these leaders betrayed the fundamental idea of a people’s democracy and the national front and assumed the position of an undermining opposition and organised acts against the very foundations of internal and external security.”

The letter added that the presidium “approved of Dr. Gottwald’s proposal that prominent representatives of all parties and nation-wide organisations should complete the Government fully in agreement with the principles of Parliamentarv demoern'-'y. The party was convinced that only such a high, constitutional and peaceful process would guarantee ths* Peaceful development of the Republic.” Archbishop’s Appeal The Catholic Archbishop of Prague. Dr. Beran, appealed to the Czechs not to destroy the legacy of the work of Presidents M.asarvk. the liberator, and Penes, the builder, says the British United Press correspondent in Prague. “I implore you all, for the sake of the blood that our brothers and sisters shed in concentration camps and for the tears and pains of the Czech women to come to your senses and maintain law. All have approved in principle the process of socialisation All have worked for it. Even the most radical reforms will be attained more permanently through lawful means.”