CZECHS' CAUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 13

CZECHS' CAUSE

.ADVERSE FACTORS TREATMENT OF NAZIS CHARGES SUBSTANTIATED MINORITIES COMBINE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Sept. 8 Two important developments which are not calculated to help the cause of the Czechs have been revealed, states a message from Prague. The first is that the Sudeten Germans' complaints of the illtreatment of prisoners arrested for illegal possession of arms, the demonstrations against which precipitated the Mahrisch-Ostrau incidents yesterday, have been substantiated by the Government's inquiry. The official report reveals that the prisoners apparently were beaten and chained v'ithout food. Tho Government has promised to take very severe measures against those responsible and has already suspended a number of policemen, and the Chief Commissioner of Police.

The second development is that the Parliamentary Sudeten Party met the Parliamentary Slovaks, United Hungarians and Poles, the four parties representing together a total of 5,000,000. The minorities agreed on a common line to follow on the nationalities problem. Hitler wants Talks Resumed Although the pew solidarity of the minorities apparentlj' is immediately unfavourable for the Czechs, the fact that they are making common cause might eventually be helpful. Dr. Franck, the leading Sudeten, is going to Nuremberg to-morrow to report to Herr Henlein. An unconfirmed report from a wellinformed quarter at Nuremberg states that Herr Hitler has indicated his desire that the negotiations between the Sudetens and Czechoslovakia, broken off after the Mahrisch-Ostrau incidents, should be resumed. He considers that their suspension was a bad tactical move. Sudeten headquarters at Prague deny that Herr Henlein is returning. They say he will probably remain at Nuremberg until September 12, when Herr Hitler is expected to make a pronouncement on the Czech situation. Vituperation in German Press The Havas news agency, Paris, asserts that Herr Henlein flew to Czechoslovakia and back last night. Accusations reminiscent of those made on the eve of the Austrian crisis are repeated by the German press in a wave of vituperation following the IVlahrisch-Ostrau incidents, says a message from Berlin. The official Nazi orga/L Voelkiseher Beobachter, in inch-high type, underlined in red, proclaims: "Prague is no longer master of its police." ANGER AROUSED

SECESSION SUGGESTION ANTI.GERMAN FEELING A DANGEROUS PITCH LONDON, Sept. 8 Field-Marshal Goering's newspaper, the National Zeitung, publishes the British Government's official disclaimer of the Times editorial suggesting that Czechoslovakia might consider as an alternative to its present proposals the secession of a fringe of alien populations in its territory, but adds that in spite of the official reserve the proposal has found the greatest appreciation.

The secession suggestion has stiffened tho resistance of the Czechoslovak public and roused anti-German feeling to a dangerous pitch, says the Prague correspondent of tho Daily Telegraph. It has also caused a certain antiBritish feeling which the official disavowal has not altogether removed. Protests from Czechs against concessions continue to pour in. Meetings held all over the country demand that no further concessions he made. DAY OF PRAYER AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE (Received September 30, 12.30 a.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 9 The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, broadcast an address throughout Australia. He appealed to citizens to join in a national day of prayer next Sunday for the maintenance of peace and "to make a united effort, irrespective of creed, which will be an example and an inspiration to the rest of the world." HOLDING ALOOF ATTITUDE OF ITALY LONDON. Sept. 8 The Government, of Italy, says a message from Home, has not halted the release of tho 1917 class conscripts, and the Italian armed forces now are down to tho lowest peace-time level. It is assumed that Signor Mussolini rules out the possibility of war or of Italy's participation in one. ; An authoritative statement of Italy s attitude, states the Rome cotiespondent of the Times, .confirms the impression that she has given moral support to the German claims, but is holding aloof from the dispute in Czechoslovakia. <