CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1938, Page 6

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

SUDETEN LEADER. ISSUES A MANIFESTO. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). j (Received this day at 10.30 a.rn.) BERLIN, Septemher 18. Herr Henlein’s order for the formation of Sudeten German volunteer corps was accompanied by a manifesto which states: “Sudeten Germans for years have sought collaboration with the Czech people but the Czechs have continued to .intensify their hatred of every thi tig,.German. ’ ’ : „ “In' Praguelthe. Government carried on, a - 'ruthless'; war: of destruction and the Czech authorities, in the last few weeks haVe let fall, the mask that the Prague Government was no longer master of the situation to face Bolshevist Russite elements,’' “Dr. Edouard is still cheating and deceiving his people about the real state of affairs. He is too cowardly to admit the collapse of his policy and see s that the last hope in the European catastrophe is the letting loose of Bolshevist Russite hordes in uniforms of malignant Czech soldiery on defenceless Sudeten Germans. Ten thousand racial comrades were forced to fly across the frontier to avoid destruction or being taken off as defence, less hostages

“We therefore take the right which peoples always exercise in times of extreme need—that is to take np arms and form* a Sudeten volunteer corps.”

A BROADCAST. 0 BY DR. HODZA. 1 (Received this dpy at 10.3() a.m.; ■ * PRAGUE September 18 , Dr. Hodza Czechoslovakian Prime Minister in a broadcast said that a plebiscite was not acceptable because it' would create a series of nationality; problems for the future. Czechoslovakia was determined to continue to work for peace, despite Herr Henlein’s refusal to come to an understanding with the Government and his attempt to start arx uprising. .

The Government’s attitude towards the minorities, especially Sudeten Germans, wag unchanged. The Government did not need Herr' Henlein and his leaders, who fled because of the collapse, of a rising in Sudeten territory, showing that the majority.of Sudetens love peace. The Government would mot institute persecution, but demands re spect for the law. . :

SUDETEN CORPS. WITH GERMAN SUPPORT. (Received this' day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 18. . The l “Telegratffr’s” •‘•Berlin-** correspondent describes the formation of a Sudeten German volunteer corps, as “the latest step in Germany’s systematic campaign against the Czechs.” This band is apparently composed of Sudeten refugees, and military-aged German “volimteers,” armed with

German weapons. • . . ir According to Field-Marshal Goering’s organ, the “National Zeitung,” the corps; which is being stationed on the frontier will not stand on the defensive, hut will fight against the Czechs inside the Sudetenland, thus increasing the danger to peace. The organisation of the corps is more remarkable as Germany still has diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia.

Plauen, sixteen miles from the Czech frontier, is so full of troops, that soldiers are sleeping in shops. The same is apparently true of the whole frontier. Motorists going from Dresden to Berlin, passed long columns of Nazi guards moving up to the frontier.

It is understood that preparations against air raids fire proceeding in the Berlin neighbourhood, where “Archie” emplacements are manned day and night. Herr Henlein’s headquarters are now somewhere in Germany. It is believed that the proclamation forming the volunteer corps, although purporting to come from Asch, was drawn up in Germany, and that Herr Henlein’s manifesto was issued : by »n official German news agency.

A NEW DECREE. (Received this day at 2 p.m). PII AGUE, September 18. Emergency decrees suspend immunity from warrantless arrest, inviolability of private house mail, secrecy of press, and liberty to empower confinement in fixed areas of censorship. H.enleinists who returned from Germany. gave themselves up to the police, declaring the alternative to forced labour on German fortifications was a concentration camp. I he, /‘Telegraph's” Metz .corrospun* dent says the French have mined roads on the Liixeinberg frontier, and also elusive#‘deviated some of the ma.ih roads. '