Sudetens Cannot Have Autonomy

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 183, 5 August 1938, Page 7

Sudetens Cannot Have Autonomy

SAFEGUARD OF INDEPENDENCE IS MAIN ISSUE LONDON, Aug. 3. The Daily Telegraph’s Prague correspondent is authoritatively informed that tho Czechs aro prepared to make big concessions at the cost of Czech interests but that it is useless to ask for the concession of territorial automony, which would mean the loss of the Sudetens to Germany and tho end of Czechoslovakia’s independence militarily ana economically. The Czechs, says the correspondent, would rather fight against most terrible odds than Vose the independence they recovered after four centuries. The British mediator, Lord Runciman, arrived at Prague this afternoon and was -welcomed by members of the Foreign Office, members of Cabinet, Herr Kundt, Parliamentary leader of the Sudetens, other Sudeten Germans and several hundred Czechs. There was no demonstration. The Czech Prime Minister, Dr. Hodza, has postponed his negotiations with the Sudetens pending the workingout of a programme with Lord Rutciman and a group of Parliamentary experts. Minority questions will be taken up with the Sudetens on Friday. Lord Runciman, at a Press conference in his hotel, the hall of which was decorated with national emblems from the Swastika to the Hammer and Sickle, appealed to the Press for its assistance in his very difficult talks to help to make the world understand Central European He said he was convinced from 40 years* experience that permanent peace, security and tranquility were only possible on a basis of mutual concent.