Future of Czechoslovakia

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 5

Future of Czechoslovakia

To Be Linked Up With Germany ?

Indication of Change in Foreign Policy

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

LONDON, Oct. 4. A message from Prague states that he Ctech Government resigned toMght Cabinet, which resigned at 8 p.m., ras reconstituted under General Sirovy. eho retains the portfolio of National Defence. Other appointments are:—Chvalkov4cy, Foreign Affairs; he was formerly minister at Rome; Doctor Czerny, Minirter of the Interior; Kalfus, Minister »f Finance; Zenkl, Social Welfare: Bukhovsky Sokol, President without portfolio, and three Slovaks, Karvas, Caidas and Sajnor, who have no politiral affiliations. The Slovak Minister Cermak carried sut his threatened resignation earlier in the xvund that the proposals from Ihe Go\finment for satisfaction ol Slovak autonomist demands were inidequate. • The first authoritative indication of a forthcoming change in Czechoslovakian foreign policy is given in an editorial In the Liberal daily. Lidovy Noviny. ander the heading “Goodbye France.” It declares that the future of CzechoHovakia is linked up with Germany. **We have played long enough the role of policeman.” the article eontinaei. "We have been deserted in a world governed by force and not by law; therefore our place is alongside force. There is nothin; left for ns bat to get along with Germany. Even in commercial relations we must refrain from combinations aligning ns against Germany. We mast recognise Herr Hitler and Sirnor Mussolini as more powerful than France.” whieh is threatened from three sides.” The future of Brno, the second largest industrial city and a big armament centre which, under the Godesberg plan would have been subject to i plebiscite, has now been cleared up by an official statement that it will be retained untouched, and neither ceded tor_ be subject to a plebiscite. POLAND’S DEMANDS MORE THAN TBSCHEN COMMON FRONTIER WITH HUNGARY WARSAW, Oct. 4. Official circles point out that Poland, not being satisfied with only Teschen, also requires a common frontier with Hungary by the cession of part of the Ruthenian Province, in eastern Czechoslovakia. It is understood that the Foreign Minister is insisting on this to enable Poland and Hungary to create a barricade against Bolshevism. This would reduce Czechoslovakia to Moravia, Slovakia and what is left of Bohemia. RELICS OF CRISIS IN PRAGUE PRAGUE, Oct. 4. The air-raid trenches dug in the public gardens and flower beds will be preserved and adapted to harmonise these grim mementoes. LAND FOR GERMANY TANGANYIKA ANXIOUS NAIROBI, Oct. 4. Anxiety regarding the future of Tanganyika is reflected in a strenuous campaign .which is being conducted throughout. East Africa concentrating on the formation of a Tanganyika League pledged to resist the secession of any of the Tanganyika Territory to Germany. HUNGARIAN DEMANDS OCCUPATION OF BORDER CITIES BUDAPEST, Oct. 4. It is officially announced that tho Hungarian Note to Prague on October 8 demanded: (1) The freeing of Hungarian political prisoners; (2) immediate leave for Hungarian soldiers in the Czech army and permission to return home; (3) the organisation of mixed Hungro-Czech local police forces; (4) the symbolical relinquishing of Hungarian districts, permitting the occupation of two border cities by Hungarian troops. It is semi officially stated, but not confirmed, that the Czechs have begun to evacuate stretches along the Hungarian frontier. PLEBISCITE AREA BRITISH POLICE FORCE LONDON, Oct. 4. The force of 1000 volunteer police from the British Legion which the Foreign Office is to send to the Czech plebiscite area will be commanded by Major Sir Francis Fetherston-Godley, chairman of the Legion, assisted by Lieutenant-General Sir James O’Dowda, Brigadier-General E. R. Fitzpatrick, and Colonel H. H. Wilberforce. The probable duration of service will be from six to eight weeks. Applications to enlist in the Legion are pouring in from all walks of life, including bishops, officers, business men, and labourers. GERMAN OCCUPATION OF SUDETENLAND PROCEEDS WITHOUT EVENT PRAGUE, Oct. 4. The occupation of the Sudetenland is proceeding without event, despite Berlin press allegations that the Czechs are not carrying out the agreement, published under headings such as “Trail of Czech Destruction," “Plundering Before Withdrawal,*' and “Incredible Devastation," details of which are being confined to reports of broken windows of Custom houses and military measures taken before the Munich agreement. Flerr Hitler arrived in Carlsbad at 1 p.m. In acknowledging cheers from the balcony of a theatre, where he was gccompanied by Herr Henleui, the

Fuehrer emphasised the necessity, during political differences, for establishing a national community. He announced special relief measures for the Sudetenland and the immediate adoption of a reconstruction programme. He paid a tribute to the Sudetens, and said: “I never knew when I should come to this land, but I knew that one day I should come." A message from Berlin states that the High Command announces that the march into Zone 3 was continued at 8 a.m. Zones 1 and 2 are completely occupied. GERMANY NEGOTIATING IN THE BALKANS ENDEAVOURING TO INCREASE ECONOMIC INFLUENCE Received Wednesday, 9 p.m. LONDON, October 5. The first concrete indication of an early implementation of Herr Hitler's visionary policy on the Danube becomes evident by Herr Funk’s visit to Yugoslavia and Turkey. The Belgrade correspondent of the Times says Herr Funk declared that a mixed German and Yugoslav committee had been formed and was drafting a new trade treaty. 3ermanv was able to negotiate for a longer term and offer better prices than*others. Germany could absorb one-half of Yugoslavia’s production. Herr Funk added that Germany desired a settlement of economic relations in this part of Europe. The Angora correspondent of the Telegraph says it is understood that Herr Funk’s mission in southern Europe ia the creation of a new trade route from India via the Near East, Turkey, the Black Sea, the Danube, Maine and the Rhine, by which she will regain domination of the Balkans and increase Germany's economic influence in the Near East.