CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1938, Page 5

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

PLAN ACCEPTED AS BASE OF NEGOTIATIONS. . \. | x (United Press Association—By Electric . ;•. Telegraph—Copyright). '• • LONDON, September 20. A message from ’Prague says: The Czech Cabinet sitting resumed to-day at 11a.m. President Beries presided. The • position remains still unclarified. Rbirter’s Prague correspondent says it is . authoritatively; stated that the Govefrnfiieiifc"is'"accepting’'the British and TPi&nbh 'plan, and is asking' for a more'r-cbtfcVete n 'explanation to finable the. framing of a reply. The'decision was reacted' lifter a five hours’ meeting of the ’ Cabinet Council, under Dr Senes, ending at 12.45 p.m. on; September 20. Cabinet will meet again 'at 11 a.m.

Reuter’s agency persist’in reporting that’the Anglo-French plan has been accepted in principle as the basis for negotiations by the Czechoslovakian Government, but that ; a further explanation has been requested. communist Reader. , PROMISE OF SOVIET AID. :. ; i PRAGUE, September 20. Doctor Bottwald, who is'the President, of the Czech Communist Party, spoke before the Permhitienf Committee, of the Czech Parliament which is governing during, the prorßghtibn. He jffaid,: l;? . “There are "fio” persons in' Czechoslovakia possessed with the powers to carry through something-Against which stands united the whole' Czechoslovak people, besides masses of Henleinists who„demand. a .just settlement without any occupation by the Reich. Britain and France during’the last 20 years, demanded that we maintain the Czech frontiers-ih ? the' interests of the defence, of: : Central, and of Europe against a German drive east\VardA. ' We are sure that the British and the’ French peoples think differently from their Minister’s at the London: Conference. We" shall not stand l»y: and :jet.the republic be' destroyed, but will defend ourselves in the sure knowledge that Russia will'be loyal to her/,treaty..”, • * ‘ ‘ : In reply,.Dr Hodza said'the Prime Minister and the Government will do everything to assure that the interests of the country and the people are nott violated. ’,

SOME FAVOUR COMPROMISE. i y September 20.. --“The Times's’” special correspondent telephoning from Prague, early ih the morning states : No decision has yet been-'reached' ’hv* the ’Czech Governtrtehf on. the Anglo-French plan, although several members 1 of the cabinet ath. known'to favour the acceptanc&dfithe plan. '

• I •;, czech attitude; ■ :TO BBITIBH-FRANCE NOTE. (Received this day at lO.t) a.m'.). ' PRAGUE, September 20. • 1 A' communique, states the ’Czechoslovakian Government has ' communicated tq the French-British Ministers in. Prague a note which sets forth the attitude to the French-British proposals. tj. The attitude makes''possible further, diplomatic negotiation in the spirit .of conciliation which- the Czech Government has always shown.

CZECHS’ DECISION. UNDER LOCARNO TREATY. , (Received this day'at 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. The “Exchange's’’’’"Prague correspondent says _i unconfirmed' reports state the note suggests the matter bd decided under the treaty of Arbitration concluded between Czechoslovakia and Germany as part of the Locarno Treaty, which was re-affirrtidd by Germany on the reoccupation df -> the Rhineland. This means that the Czechs wish to submit to any of the 1 following bodies mentioned in the treaty -' firstly, international committee‘ Of ‘' arbitration at Hague;' secondly ."mixed commission consisting of One German, one Czech, and thfte neutrals; and thirdly, the permanent arbitration commission. , * r -•

■ FRONTIER CLASH. •* VOLUNTEER CORPS AND-CZECHS * f ' • \ ... . _ ... . (Received this day at 9.55 a,in.) • PRAGUE;'September 20. It is officially 'stated that Czeoh troops occupied trenched at some points on the German frontier, after | four attacks by volunteer corps at night time. The assailants attacked the customs house- at Neu&orge, near. "Braunau, and the defenders replied with hah,d grefiadCs. ' Reinforcements arrived,- fbe attficltCrs withdrew. They ;resuined' a 'fclie assault ' an- hour later, r dnVl fveffi*'again expelled. They , carried off'tficir casualties. Six Czech | customs officials arid two soldiers were i wounded. The volunteer corps, with hand grenades and machine-guns, twice attacked, and set fire to the customs house at, Oberkleinarpa. near Marchendorf, but were repulsed. Two Czechs were wounded. , . I The new districts under martial law are the scene of these attacks. j The . Government lias issued a communique that their decision will he based, on. the result of the diplomatic negotiations now proceeding with all

friendly states, especially with England and France. It is dealing not only with minorities, hut is aimed to solve the entire European crisis. The Government’s decision would protect the nation’s life interests, and also the interests of the various national groups.

DESERTERS ATTACK. (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 20. Nine Sudeten deserters from the Czech army attacked and set fire to a frontier customs house at Lrautengu. They threw hand grenades among the occupants killing one Czech and taking another prisoner j also a gendarme who allegedly fired on the refugees. POLISH ATTITUDE. (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) WARSAW, September 20. A Foreign Office official told the British United Press that Poland will not recognise any solution which does not cede Tesehzn to Poland. FUGITIVES CROSS BORDER. BERLIN September 20. The German News. Agency reports that Sudeten deserters'from the Czech army crossed the frontier, to; Germany. At 1 Kronstadt after an-exchange of shots, Czechs fired on Sudeten fugitives after reaching the German territory of Waldenburg.