REASON SOUGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23044, 23 May 1938, Page 9

REASON SOUGHT

FOREIGN MINISTERS GERMANS' ALLEGATIONS CZECH CIVILIANS ARMING (Received May 22, 6.30 p.m.) PRAGUE. May 22 The British, French and German Ministers called upon Dr. Krofta, Foreign Minister, and inquired the reason for the calling-tip of the reserves. Dr. Krofta said the reserves were required to maintain order in the towns during the absence of the troops sent to the frontier to keep the peace. The Government later issued a statement that only one class of reservists and second-line reservists with special units had been called up. These measures were sufficient to ensure the maintenance of order and no further military -measures were being taken. The Government broadcast an appeal for the maintenance of order.

Czech officials are investigating reports of Storm Troop concentrations on the Czechoslovak border, but responsible quarters believe that if the reports are true the concentrations represent only a move to influence waverers to vote, for Herr Henlein at the elections to-day, in which Nazi gains are expected. Excitement is at a high pitch in the Sudeten areas. The executive of the Sudeten German Party issued a statement in which it contended that the calling-up of the reserves was tantamount to mobilisation, and alleged that the Czechs were entrenching on the frontier and arming Czech civilians in the Sudeten areas, in which they had established large munitions Stores.