EUROPE'S NEW PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 10

EUROPE'S NEW PROBLEM

Tension over Czechoslovakia's problem appears to be increasing, in spite of efforts to find an amicable solution. The point on which conflict centres —the political integi'ity of the country—continues to exercise all minds. Germany still insists upon the granting of self-determination to the Sudeten Party, a policy that amounts to the creation of a separate State, carved out of Czechoslovakia. This would inflict a serious blow to the Government, for it would involve loss of territory and throw arrangements for defence into chaos. The German minority is not concentrated at one spot, but scattered along the frontier. It cannot be doubted that self-determina-tion would quickly be used by Germany to promote the annexation of parts of the country. Short of yielding to so dangerous a demand by the Sudeten Party, the Czech Government is prepared to concede minority rights under a general statute. Hence, within the frontiers, there is a deadlock only to - be broken, apparently, by a complete surrender, by one side or the other, on the chief point at issue. If the compromise offered by the Government be finally rejected, a very grave turn will probably bo given to events. Herr Henlein, head of the Sudeten Party, knows he has the backing of Herr Hitler. Doubt exists as to whether Signor Mussolini has decided to give the latter an entirely free hand, but he may, as in the case of Austria, prefer to keep silent until the damage is done. Even this would serve to defeat the efforts of Britain and France to use their joint influence in mediation. Thus the tension within Czechoslovakia has communicated itself to international politics in Europe, as was feared at the beginning of the Sudeten Party's agitation.