CRISIS IN CZECHOSLAVAKIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 230, 27 August 1938, Page 10

CRISIS IN CZECHOSLAVAKIA

GRAVE FEARS AROUSED SUDETEN MOVE MAY MEAN WAR (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.) ■ Received August 27, 12.50 p.m. LONDON, August 26. The Times Prague correspondent says that there is no doubt that the situation in Czechoslovakia is more tense than at any time since the dispute began. The Daily Telegraph’s Prague correspondent says that the authorities know the Henleinist proclamation and the German demarche are closely connected. The proclamation is part of a plan to provide an excuse for a German invasion. It is little less than a summons to a civil war. When a conflict is provoked an excuse for an invasion is found. Dr. Hubert Ripka, a leading Czech publicist, is in the closest touch with Dr. Benes (President). Setting out what can be regarded as the Czechs’ last word, Dr; Ripka declares: “We are prepared to revise our proposals and to adopt a new basis for negotiations, but we wifi not accept anything laming our independence. Gnly tne Great Powers can avoid the catastrophe of war by making Germany realise before it is too late that to attack Czechoslovakia would mean a European war. In the hands of the responsible French and British statesmen lies the decision as to whether peace will be maintained or shattered by a new and terrible war.” According to the Daily Telegraph Germany is reported to have informed the Powers that she still desired a peaceful solution, but if the delay were prolonged she would give every support to the Sudetens. The German Foreign Office denies this reported demarche, which was not received directly by France or Britain, but the Daily Telegraph’s Prague correspondent and 'the Daily Mail’s Paris representative say Germany approached Russia, Rumania, and Yugoslavia to ascertain their attitude in the event of intervention. The Daily Telegraph’s Prague correspondent says Moscow replied that Russia would aid the Czechs. It is emphasised that France is similarly placed under her obligation.

NEUTRALITY' REQUESTED

erally, particularly in South America, where the influence of the United States is growing, and there is increasing liostilitv towards Germany GOVERNMENT WARNING. The proclamation by the Henlein Party drew a stem broadcast warning from the Government, declaring that the signatories had assumed an unauthorised role and that the proclamation would meet with the most energetic police measures. NEGOTIATIONS WITH MINORITIES LONDON, Aug. 26. The British United Press Prague correspondent reports that the Czechs have decided on greater concessions to the Sudetens, submitting as a basis for negotiation proposals, it is authoritatively stated, that will meet four of Herr Henlein’s six demands and partially satisfy the remainder. They are aimed also at meeting the demands of the other minorities. •

Tlie replies from Belgrade and Bucharest are uncertain, but it is pointed out tliat Rumania is unlikely to limit her backing to the Czechs Hinder the terms of the Little Entente Pact. It is' also' impossible for Yugoslavia to resist pressure by the Slavic feeling aroused by a conflict involving Czechoslovakia and Russia. The Daily Mail’s Paris representative understands that Germany asked Yugoslavia and Rumania for undertakings of neutrality, • basing the request on the assertion that intervention for the purpose of protecting their minorities was not able to be construed as an attack. The News-Chronicle’s Berlin correspondent says that Herr Von Itibbentrop (Foreign Minister) called a conference of the German Ambassadors and Ministers in North and South America to report on reactions in the event of a European war and the attitude towards the German policy gen-