CZECH SCHISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 11

CZECH SCHISM

SLOVAKS' DEMAND AUTONOMY MOVE great demonstration MAY JOIN GERMANY PARTY'S LEGISLATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Times Cable LONDON, June 5 One hundred thousand supporters of the Slovakian People's Party demonstrated at Bratislava to-day in support of their demand for autonomy, which Father Hlinka, the party leader, declares must be . secured even at the cost of joining Germany or Poland, says the Prague correspondent of the Times. Also the settlement must be in accordance with the Pittsburg agreement reached between the Czechs and Slovaks, before, the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The principles of the agreement have been generally accepted, but other Slovaks, including Dr. Hodza, Prime Minister, and Dr. Deter, Minister of Justice, disagree Avith Father Hlinka's views. , The Slovakian People's Party is promoting an Autonomy Bill aiming at establishment of a Slovak Diet and Law Courts with complete control over all Slovakian matters. Half a million workers and members of the Czech Social Democrat Party demonstrated in Prague in the presence of Dr. Benes, President, in favour of democracy and peace. They carried banners inscribed "Imprison Henlein or Banish Him." CLASH WITH POLICE GERMANS INJURED PRAGUE, June 6 It is stated at the headquarters of the Sudeten Germans that the Czech police encountered parties of Sudetens walking to Bodenbach last night and a scuffle began. This provoked a charge in which the police seriously clubbed one German and slightly injured 20 others.