VICTIM OF NAZIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19890, 18 March 1939, Page 6

VICTIM OF NAZIS

CZECH PEOPLES STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS BENES RENEWS PROTEST APPEAL TO POWERS SACRIFICES R ECA TLED (Reed. Mar. 18, 1.30 p.m.) CHICAGO, Mar. 17. The former President of Czechoslovakia, Dr. E. Benes, has sent the following telegram to President Roosevelt, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the French Premier, M. Daladier, and the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Litvinov: “The Czechoslovak people are the victims of a great international crime. They cannot protest and because of the happenings of the last month cannot defend themselves. Therefore, I, as the former president, address this solemn protest to you. “Last September the French and British proposals and later the Munich decision, were presented to me. Both documents contained the promise of a guarantee of the integrity and security of the Czechoslovak territory. Both asked unheard of sacrifices in the interests of European peace. These sacrifices were made. "Nevertheless one of the Powers which signed the Munich agreement is now dividing our territory and establishing a ‘protectorate’ under the threat of force. “Before the conscience of the world and before history I am obliged to proclaim that the Czechs and Slovaks will never accept this unbearable imposition on their sacred rights and will never cease to struggle until these rights are reinstated. “I entreat your Governments to refuse to recognise this crime and assume the consequences which to-day's tragic situation in Europe aijd tne world urgently requires.”