CZECH NATION’S NEW STATUS

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 7

CZECH NATION’S NEW STATUS

Britain Considering Recognition MANY QUESTIONS IN COMMONS MR CHAMBERLAIN REFUSES TO GIVE ASSURANCE (British Official Wireless) (Received May 25, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 24. The question of any action which might involve or imply recognition of Herr Hitler’s seizure of Bohemia and Moravia caused many animated questions in the House of Commons today, and the Leader of the Labour Opposition (Major C. R. Attlee) gave notice that he would raise the matter on the adjournment motion on Friday. Two answers made it clear that the question of recognition was being considered by the Government, the first referring to future British representation at Prague and the second a statement that the recent informal financial conversations about the blocked Czech assets in London did not imply de facto recognition of the new status of -Bohemia and Moravia.

However, when asked for an assurance that there would be no recognition without prior consultation with the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) refused and reminded the Opposition that Parliament had its own constitutional way of expressing its approval or disapproval of Government action in matters which were the Government’s responsibility. CZECHS IMPRISONED BY NAZI COURT SWASTIKA FLAG TORN DOWN (Received May 25, 7.10 p.m.) PRAGUE, May 24. The first session of the new German court sent three Czechs to prison for three months for tearing down a swastika flag in a village on Herr Hitler’s birthday.