BENES RESIGNS CZECH PRESIDENCY: PREMIER NEXT HEAD?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22658, 8 June 1948, Page 7

BENES RESIGNS CZECH PRESIDENCY: PREMIER NEXT HEAD?

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter —Copyright.) (I I a.m.) t, PRAGUE, June 7. The Czechoslovakian President, Dr. Benes, resigned this morning and the Czech Cabinet accepted his resignation at an extraordinary meeting this afternoon. Tlie resignation was contained in a letter delivered to the Czech Cabinet 24 hours before the deadline set for the signing of the new Soviet model constitution establishing a so-called “People's Democratic Republic” in Czechoslovakia.

RESIGNATION ON ACCOUNT OF HEALTH

As Dr. Behcs diet not sign the new constitution before he resigned, the Cabinet can now promulgate itself as a temporary hearer of Presidential powers or it can wait until a new President is appointed. Parliament will be called together on Thursday and will 'be asked to set the date for the new Presidential election as next Monday. Political circles in Prague regard it as a near certainty that the Premier, M. Gottwald, will be the next president. Dr. Benes. in a letter addressed to M. GottwalcTs Cabinet, said: “I informed you on May 4 of my definile intention to resign and we discussed my decision in connection with the problems of the political situation. I also told you that my physicians recommended me to resign in view of my health. . “I beg you to ask the National Assembly kindly to take congnisance of my resignation from the responsible office which it honoured men by unanimous vote on June 19 1946. I thank it for its confidence. I thank the people for their confidence and love which have been an immense support to me and which I have endeavoured not to fail.” Dr. Benes said he hoped the Republic “may be spared all catastrophes and that all would live and work in tolerance, love’ and forgiveness. Let them allow freedom to others and enjoy freedom themselves," he concluded. . He believed in the genius of the Czech people and in a great future for the Republic. M. Gottwald, in a statement, expressed the Government's “profound regret.” He said he had for a long time tried to persuade Dr. Benes but

the President remained firm. He thanked Dr. Benes for his great services to the Republic. Dr. Benes, though leaving the Presidency, remained forever in the history of the Czech people's struggle for freedom and independence, and for "a progressive and socially just Stale.” M. Gottwald added: "Dr. Benes realised that a reborn Czechoslovakia would emerge from the war that would create firm guarantees that Munich could never occur again. “The first such guarantee was a close alliance with Russia, and the second, a popular democratic order which would remove traitorous classes and the agrarian capitalist bourgeoisie from power. “Dr. Benes, in the spirit of these principles, carried on after his famous return to the country" when he himself inaugurated the idea of our new republic being a pro-Socialist Republic. “In the historic February this year, he remained faithful to the people and the heritage of our struggle when > e signed the new composition of the Government which was to secure further peaceful develonment of the State." The Associated Press correspondent says it is known that Dr. Benes frowned on the “people democracy” constitution with which he disagreed and, on the Communist Government's singleticket elections. His retirement has removed Czechoslovakia's last strong link with the West. It is officially announced that Dr. Benes will be given a Presidential country home at Lany as a tribute to his work. His Presidential salary will continue throughout his life. It is reported that Dr. Benes did not sign the hew constitution before resigning. The Cabinet has the alternative of promulgating itself as the temporary bearer of Presidential powers or waiting until the newly-elected Assembly this week appoints a new President who will accept the old Cabinet's resignation and approve of the formation of a new Cabinet.