CRITICAL DAYS AHEAD OF EUROPE

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 7

CRITICAL DAYS AHEAD OF EUROPE

DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS IN CZECH PROBLEM GERMAN INQUIRY FROM POWERS REPORTED (United Press Association—Press Association Copyright) (Received August 28, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 27. The events of the last 24 hours make it unmistakable that Europe is facing the most critical days since the war, said the Australian Associated Press, summarizing the developments in Czechoslovakia up to Friday. . The opinion is growing that more sinister motives are behind the Suae en Germans’ continual delaying tactics than appear on the surBritain realizes that the Czech negotiations are fast developing into a race against time, says the correspondent, and it is feared in official circles that every effort must be made to hasten the solution of the problem before the Nazi Congress, even if it means patching up the situation to remove the slightest cause for outside interference. Germany is reported to have informed the Powers that she still desired a peaceful solution of the Czech problem, but if the delay was prolonged she would give every support to the Sudeten Germans. The German Foreign Office denies this, reported demarche, which has not been received directly in France and Britain, but the Prague correspondent of The Daily Telegraph and the Paris representative of The Daily Mail both say that Germany has approached Russia, Rumania, and Yugoslavia to ascertain their attitude in the event of intervention. However, the latest report from Prague says that after yesterday’s alarms and excursions there is a quieter atmosphere in spite of an outburst in the Berlin Press blaming the Prague censor for not suppressing a Czech newspaper which described the German soldiers in the Great War as “not soldiers, but beasts.”

SUDETENS ISSUE PROCLAMATION

Members’ Right Of

Self-Defence

GERMAN “SUMMONS TO CIVIL WAR”

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received August 27, 6.30 p.m.)

LONDON, August 26.

The gravity of the situation in Czechoslovakia is increased by the issue by members of the Sudeten German Party of a proclamation described by the Prague correspondent of The Daily Telegraph as “dangerous and defiant, and issued for no other purpose than to provoke a conflict.” The proclamation is that the party no longer assumes responsibility for the freedom or property of members, and consequently they are free to exercise the right of self-defence where attacked. It claims that incidents were hitherto passed over with confidence that the Government would end “Marxist and irresponsible Czech terrorism,” but this is no longer possible. The Berlin correspondent of The Times describes this as the most sinister report from Prague for some time, declaring that precisely such a development was feared by foreign observers. The situation is now so delicate that any serious incident in Czechoslovakia might have the gravest consequences. The correspondent adds that it is reiterated in Berlin that British public opinion would not support more than peaceful intervention in Czechoslovakia, and it is on this that many in Germany base their outlook. There is no doubt the situation is more tense than at any time since the dispute began, says the Prague correspondent of The Times. The Sudeten German proclamation drew a stem broadcast warning from the Czech Government declaring that the signatories had assumed an unauthorized role, the proclamation was a violation of the law and anyone endangering peace under the proclamation would meet most energetic police measures. REPLIES TO GERMANY The Prague correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says that Moscow, replying to the German inquiry, said that the Soviet would aid the Czechs, and emphasized that France was similarly placed under her obligation. The message recalled the British declaration of March 24. , , j „ v The replies from Belgrade and Bucharest are uncertain, but is is pointed out that Rumania is unlikely to limit her backing to the Czechs under the terms of the Little Entente Pact. It is also impossible for Yugoslavia to resist the pressure of Slavic feeling aroused by a conflict involving Czechoslovakia and Russia. A later message from Belgrave says that the Yugoslav Government denied that Germany asked an assurance of neutrality in the event of intervention in Czechoslovakia. The Paris representative of The Daily Mail understands that Germany has asked Yugoslavia and Rumania for understandings of neutrality, basing her on the assertion that intervention for the purpose of protecting the minorities would not be able to be construed as an attack. The German Foreign Minister (Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop) called a conference of Ambassadors and Ministers of North and South America to report on their reactions in the event of a European war and their attitude towards German policy generally, particularly South America, where there is the growing influence of the United States and increasing hostility towards Germany. The Prague correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the Czech authorities know that the Sudeten German proclamation and the German demarche are closely connected. The proclamation is part of a plan to provide an excuse for a German invasion, and it is little less than a summons to civil war. When a conflict is provoked an excuse for invasion will be found. Dr Hubert Ripka, a leading Czech publicist, who is in very close touch

with’ the President (Dr Eduard Benes) setting out what can be regarded as the Czech’s last word, declares: “We are prepared to revise the proposals and adopt a new basis for negotiations, but we shall not accept anything laming our independence. Only the Great Powers can avoid the catastrophe of war by making Germany realize, before it is too late, that an attack on Czechoslovakia will mean a European war. In the hands of responsible French and British statesmen lies the decision whethex- peace will be maintained or shattered by a new and terrible war.”

It is stated in Prague that there are good grounds for assuming that Dr Benes will take the initiative and reopen the negotiations on a new basis, including the establishment of three German regions responsible for their own affairs, like the North of Ireland, while sending representatives to Parliament in Prague, which will be responsible for foreign policy, defence, and finance.

The Sudeten Germans’ proclamation relaxing discipline is much deplored in official circles in London, which welcomed the Czech Government’s conciliary suggestion of a new basis of negotiations with the object of meeting the Sudeten German demands.

ANXIOUS BRITISH WATCH

RIGHT ATMOSPHERE IMPORTANT CZECH EFFORT TO RENEW TALKS WELCOMED (British Official Wireless). (Received August 27, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 26. The Sudeten German problem continues to engage the anxious attention of official circles in London, says a British Official Wireless message. Great emphasis is laid on the importance of maintaining the right atmosphere during what is recognized to be the critical, if more hopeful, stage of the negotiations in Prague.

No details are known of the reported new basis of approach in the discussions, but the renewed efforts to reach agreement, attributed by these reports to Czechoslovakia, are welcomed as showing the determined spirit of conciliation which in the British view the situation demands from all concerned.

The hope is expressed that an equal conciliatory attitude will be displayed on the side of the Sudeten Germans. Moreover, it is felt in London that the tendency, still apparent in sections of the German Press, to make much of minor incidents for the purpose of newspaper attacks on the Czechs and on the good faith of the Prague Government, is much to be regretted.

HUNGARY NOT YET COMMITTED ADMIRAL HORTHY’S VISIT (Received August 27, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 26. It is generally believed that the Regent of Hungary (Admiral Nicholas Horthy) who has gone to Nuremberg, has succeeded in leaving Berlin without committing Hungary irrevocably to the German camp, says the Berlin correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. Admiral Horthy takes Herr Hitler’s promise of frontier inviolability, but has not been prevailed on to leave the League of Nations and to join the Anti-Comintem Pact—Germany, Italy and Japan.