FRESH INCIDENTS IN BOHEMIA

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 7

FRESH INCIDENTS IN BOHEMIA

“We Want Union With

Germany!”

CZECHS’ ANXIETY FOR FUTURE INDICATED

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 10, 1.5 a.m.) < LONDON, September 9.

Fresh demonstrations broke out in four towns in Sudeten German territory in Czechoslovakia as a result of incidents with the police. At Krumau 4000 shouted: “We want union with Germany! One Reich! One people! One Leader!”

The Sudeten Germans .allege that Czechs broke into their local centre, or Deutscheshaus. At Freiwaldau Sudeten Germans dragged a police inspector from the station. He was rescued by comrades. Windows of the municipal buildings were broken.

The Press exchanges record further minor clashes between police and Sudeten Germans. The newspapers ask: “Are the incidents designed to demoralize the Czechs and to lead the world to believe that the situation is out of hand?”

An increasing demand for tinned and other foods that can be preserved reveals the Czechs’ anxiety for the future. Deputations of peasants, civil servants, shop keepers and youth organizations continue to urge the Government to remain firm. It is believed that the German minority is preparing a series of weekend demonstrations, possibly leading to dangerous incidents, including the funeral on Saturday of an alleged spy who committed suicide. ANTI-BRITISH FEELING The suggestion of secession made by The Times has stiffened the resistance of the Czechoslovak public and has roused anti-German feeling to a dangerous pitch, says the Prague correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. It has also caused certain anti-British feeling, which official disavowal of the suggestion does not altogether remove. Protests from the Czechs against concessions continue to pour in. Meetings have been held throughout the country demanding no further concessions.

An unconfirmed report from a wellinformed quarter at Nuremberg states that Herr Hitler has indicated a .desire that the negotiations should be resumed, and that he considers suspension of the talks a bad tactical move. Accusations reminiscent of those on the eve of the Nazi march into Austria six months ago are repeated by the German Press in a wave of vituperation about the incident at Mahrisch-Ostrau. The Volkischer Beobachter, in inch-high type underlined in red, proclaims that Prague is no longer master of its police—an allegation made against Austria after the Anchluss.

Two important developments are not calculated to help the Czech cause. The first is that the Sudeten German complaints of ill-treatment of prisoners arrested for illegal possession of arms—the demonstrations against which precipitated the incident at MahrischOstrau, are substantiated by the Czech Government’s inquiry The official report reveals that the prisoners were apparently beaten and chained together without food. The Government promises to take most severe measures against those responsible and it has already suspended a number of police, including the Chief Commissioner.

In the second place the parliamentary members of the Sudeten German Party met the parliamentary representatives of the Slovaks, the united Hungarians and the Poles, the four parties representing together a total of 5.000,000 citizens. The minorities agreed that a common line could be followed in the nationalities problem. Although the new solidarity of the minorities is apparently unfavourable for the Czechs, the fact that they are making common cause might eventijaUx he helpful.