CRISIS IN EUROPE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 231, 29 August 1938, Page 6

CRISIS IN EUROPE.

In spite of the Czechoslovakian Government’s desire to placate the Sudeten German minority to a point compatible with national integrity, the situation in Central Europe appears again to have seriously deteriorated, and the “most critical days since the War” are now being faced in Europe. To further complicate the delicate mission of Lord Runciman the Sudeten or Henlein Party has issued a proclamation telling its members to “exercise their right of self-defence where attacked.” It appears that incidents have previously happened, being attributed to Marxist and irresponsible Czech terrorism, in which Sudeten Germans have been concerned, but have been passed over—possibly a euphemism—in the hope that the Government would take action. A development of this nature had been feared by foreign observers, fpr the campaign of the Sudeten Party is managed from Berlin and Nazi propaganda insists, that no settlement will be acceptable that does not give the Sudeten Germans complete local autonomy. The sinister aspect of the proclamation is obvious. An act of “self-defence” by the Sudeten Germans would provide Herr Hitler with the excuse to protect his ‘‘subjects” in Czechoslovakia, and the efforts of those who are striving to avoid a war would be at once defeated. It is this danger it was hoped to avert, and it must be remembered that Germany has her army mobilised for two months vet, ready for the psychological moment should it occur to invade Czechoslovakia, regardless of the conflagration that would be caused. In a timely speech Sir John Simon has made it clear that Britain has not changed her. policy towards Czechoslovakia. Late in May the British and Trench Governments spoke firmly enough to Berlin. The French said they would stand by their treaty obligations, the British that if France did so they would stand by France. It is well that Berlin should know the consequences of an attack on Czechoslovakia. In the meantime, it will be hoped that Dr Hodza’s race against time to find a solution of the problem before the Nazi Congress meets will be successful. Lord Runciman has faced numerous difficulties since going to Prague, the Czechoslovakian Government no less than the Sudeten Germans presenting them, but while the former is now honestly seeking to reach a solution the latter, aided by Berlin are definitely frustrating a settlement which does not give them all they demand.