Sudetenland Zone

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 237, 7 October 1938, Page 6

Sudetenland Zone

Hitch Occurs in Defining German Areas

POPULATION BASIS United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. BERLIN, Oct. 5. A hitch has occurred in connection with tho international commission regarding the zone of Sudetenland being handed over to Germany on October 10. It is understood that agreement thus far has been difficult as the Germans have taken a most emphatic stand. The British United Press correspon dent at Berlin says it is semi-officially stated that Germany is asking that the 1918 population figures should be taken as the basis of determination of the predominantly German areas outside the four specified zones. Germany maintained that the Munich agreement was to "correct injustices to the Sudeten,s since 1918,’’ and that therefore no solution overlooking the areas which the Czechs had forcibly settled with their own people since 1918'would permit the establishment of normal friendly relations between Berlin and Prague. The settlement must eliminate the possibility of prejudicing German-Czech relations, which cannot be achieved if the Czech influence in tills territory is overlooked.

Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says it was later reported that the Ambassadors’ Commission had agreed that the predominantly German area in Czechoslovakia which was to be occupied by the Germans on October 10 was that where the German majority was 51 per cent.

The International Boundary Commission and the plebiscite sub-committee are at present determining the areas involved in the frontier of 1200 miles, after which they will make a decision respecting the size of the international force which is to police the plebiscite.

Though the Reich' has offered to accept a force comprising French, British, and Italian ex-servicemen, it is understood that the commission favours regular troops from the three countries, with which it would be easier to keep order. The force of 1000 volunteer police from the British Legion which the Foreign Office proposes to send to the Czech plebiscite area will be commanded by Major Sir Francis FetherstonGodley, chairman of the legion, assisted by Lieutenant-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. FIFTH ZONE DETERMINED Received Thursday, 9 p.m. BERLIN, Oct. 6. The Official New's Agency reports that the Ambassadors’ Commission has decided that the fifth Sudeten zone, which is being occupied from October 7 to 10, will be embraced by a line running from the north-east weswards, including Neuitschein and Hultschin, but excluding Mahrisch-Ostrau, thence to Troppau, Trubau, Rokitnitz, Trautenau, Gablonz, Reichenberg, Lietmeritz and Lobositz, thence southwards to Brux and Saaz, passing westward of Pilsen to Bischofteinitz, thence southeast to Winterberg and Krumau in the south.