RACE AGAINST TIME

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21127, 29 August 1938, Page 7

RACE AGAINST TIME

SINISTER MOVES BY SUDETENS Dangerous Situation in Europe Is Germany Bent on War? Crisis Believed Easing United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 26 The Australian Associated Press states that events in the last twentyfour hours make it unmistakable that Europe Is facing the most critical days since the war. The opinion is growing that there are more sinister motives behind the Sudetens' continual delaying tactics than appear on the surface. Britain realises that the negotiations conducted by the Czech Prime Minister (Dr. Hodza), are fast developing into a race against time. It is feared in official circles that every effort must be made to hasten a solution of the problem before the Nazi Congress, even if this means patching up the situation in order to remove the slightest cause for outside Interference. The gravity of the situation has been Increased by the issue by members of the Henlein Party of a proclamation, which is described by the Prague correspondent of "The Dally Telegraph” as "dangerous and defiant and Issued for no other purpose than to provoke a conflict.'' The proclomatlon is to the effect that the party no longer assumes responsibility for the freedom and property of members. Consequently they are free to exercise the right of selfdefence where they are attacked. It claims that incidents have hitherto been passed ever with confidence that the Government would end the Marxist and irresponsible Czech terrorism. This is no longer possible. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times” describes this as the most sinister report from Prague for some time. He declares that precisely such a development was feared by foreign observers. The situation is now so delicate that any serious Incident In Czecho-Slovakia might have the gravest consequences. He adds: "It is reiterated in Berlin that British public opinion would not support more than peaceful intervention in Czechoslovakia. It is on this that many in Germany base their outlook. The Prague correspondent of "The Times" states that there is no doubt that the siturtlon is more tense than at any time since the dispute began. The Henlein - arty proclamation drew a stem broadcast warning from the Government, declaring that the signatories had assumed an unauthorised role. Tire proclamation was a violation of the law, and anyone endangering the peace under th: proclamation would meet with the most energetic police measuies. Germany Sounds Powers Germany is reported to have informed the Powe s that she still desired a peaceful solution, but thet if the delay is prolonged she will give every support to the Sudetens. The German Forelg i Office, however, denies this reported demarche, which has not been received dlre"tly by Fiance or Britain, but the Prague correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph” and the Paris representative of “The Daily Mail” state that Germany has approached Russia, Rumania, end Yugo-Slavia to ascertain their attitude in the event of intervention. Attitude of Slavs Tire Prague correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph" stales that Moscow replied that Russia would aid the Czechs, and it emphasised that France is similarly placed under her obligations. The text of the replies from Belgrade and Bucharest are uncertain, but it is pointed out that Rumania is unlikely to limit her backing to he Czechs. Under the terms of the Little Entente pact it is also impossible for Yugo-Slavia to resist pressure by Slavic feeling aroused by a conflict involving Czecho-Slovakia and Russia. The Paris repres mtatlve of “The Daily Mail” understands that Germany asked Yugo-Slavia and Rum'-.nla for undertakings of neutrality, basing the request on the assertion that intervention for the purpose of protecting minorities was not able to be construed as an attack. Excuse tor Invasion Sought The Berlin correspondent of "The News Chronicle" stater that the Nazi Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop) called a conference of Ambassadors and Ministers in North and South America to report on the reactions in the event of a European war. and the attitude towards German policy generally, particularly South America, where the influence of the United States Is growing and there is increasing hostility towards Germany. The Prague correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph" states that the authorities know that the Henlein Party proclamation and the German demarche are closely connected. The proclamation is part of a plan to provide an excuse for a German invasion. It is little less than a summons for a civil war when a conflict is provoked and an excuse for an invasion is found. Czech’s Last Word Dr. Hubert Rlpka, the leading Czech publicist, who is in the closest touch with the Czech President (Dr. Benes), in setting out what can be regarded as the Czech’s last word, declares: "We are prepared to revise our proposals and adopt a new basis for negotiations, but we will not accept anything laming our Independence. Only the great Powers can avoid the catastrophe of war by making Germany realise, before it is too late, that an attack on Czecho-Slovakia will mean a European wai. In the hands of responsioie French and British

statesmen lies the decision as to whether peace will be maintained or shattered in a new and terrible war." Anxiety in London The Sudeten problem continues to engage the anxious attention of official circles in London. Gt' .at emphasis is laid on the importance of maintaining the right atmosphere during what is recognised to be a critical, if a more hopeful, stage of the negotiations in Prague, states a British Official Wireless message. No details are known regarding the reported new basis of approach in the discussions, but the renewed efforts to reach an agreement attributed in these reports to Czecho-Slovi-kia are welcomed as showing a determined spirit of conciliation, which, In the British view, the situation demands from all concerned. The hope is expressed that an equally conciliatory attitude will be displayed on the side of the Sudetens. Moreover, it is felt that the tendency which is 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. REPORT DENIED GERMAN REQUEST TO YUGO-SLAVIA United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 28, 7.30 p.m.) BELGRADE, August 28. The Government denies that Germany asked for an assurance of neutrality in the event of intervention in Czecho-Slovakia. QUIETER ATMOSPHERE IN PRAGUE OUTBURST BY GERMAN PRESS United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 27. After yesterday’s alarms and excursions there is a quieter atmosphere iri Prague, despite the outburst of the Berlin press blaming the Prague censor for not suppressing the Czech newspaper describing the German soldiers in the world war as not soldiers but beasts. Sudetens' Sorry Lapse The Sudetens’ proclamation relaxing discipline is much deplored in official circles in London, which welcomed the Czech Government’s conciliatory suggestion of a new basis of negotiations, with the object of meeting the Sudetens demands.