The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1939. A Nation Crumbles

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1939. A Nation Crumbles

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper

EVENTS in Central Europe have again marched with dramatic swiftness. Although the disintegration of Czechoslovakia seemed a foregone conclusion once the Slovaks, with German support, had begun to press for their independence, no one could have foretold that within a few days the Czech State, with its strong nationalistic spirit, its ancient cities and its rich resources, would he reduced to the ignominious status, of a vassal State to Germany.

This, however, has taken place, and without a blow being struck in opposition. The Czechs, a small nation, have had to bow to the arrogance and might of neighbours greater and stronger. The surprising thing is that the Czech Government seems to have meekly acquiesced in this transition. The people will certainly not approve of it wholeheartedly.

The first German troops were greeted with hisses and lowering silence. There was no parade of swastikas such as greeted the Germans when they entered Vienna. Nor is there likely to be, for the Czechs though numerically weak in comparison with Germany, and quite unable to resist the invaders without outside assistance, have no racial affinity with the Germans, and there has always been a deep suspicion of distruct between the two peoples.

Even now, though Hitler has benevolently taken the Czech State “under the protection of the German Reich,” events in the long run may prove that Germany has acquired a liability, not an asset. Certainly, she will find a welcome immediate asset in the industrial and agricultural wealth of Bohemia and Moravia. German waterways will now carry the products of Czech factories to German ports. .Yet the racial antagonism which led Czech, soldiers to desert from the Austrian armies in thousands during the war, forming into regiments which fought in the Allied cause both in Russia and Siberia, cannot be dispelled at a theatrical gesture. If at some future date Germany .encounters the organised resistance which has so far been withheld, she will find the Czechs duhiotis allies. Even in peace time there are likely to he subversive undercurrents.

For Britain and France the spectacle of Hitler’s latest successful move, the culmination, obviously, of months of that secret organisation and propaganda of which he Is such a master, is anything but agreeable. Both countries have rigorously abstained from, interfering; indeed, they have hardly had time to. Probably there is now a strong sentiment that the minor faces of Central Europe are best left to stew in their own juice. The position, after all. has ample precedents. In the ebb and flow of history across the wide spaces of Central Europe, there have been innumerable conquests, alliances, subjugations and then the inevitable rupture.

Viewed in the long perspective of history, the episode which seems so shocking today, and the 20 years which have preceded it, wilUseem merely a trifling incident.

But no one can pretend that it is not humiliating to Britain and France to stand idly by while the man who is now feared and detested throughout the democracies of the world scores another complete and apparently unanswerable triumph. Although recent events had led to a feeling of optimism, the latest developments restore the conviction that sooner or later a clash is inevitable. Perhaps many would have preferred the clash to come now. Others would rather wait and prepare. But, at any rate, Czechoslovakia’s fate shows that the destinies of millions of people are still subject to the ruthless decrees of force. The lesson for the democracies is clamant. Vigilance and preparedness must be their watchword.