CZECH REACTION TO MUNICH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21156, 1 October 1938, Page 17

CZECH REACTION TO MUNICH

PLEA TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT

Substantial Concessions Accepted i Outline of Counter Proposals Refusal to Rush Into Acceptance Unltjd Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyrlgh t (Received September 30, 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON. September 29. The United Press correspondent states that the Czech Note to President Roosevelt expressed readiness to cede to Germany the territory inhabited by an excess of 50 per cent Germans and to settle the whole problem by December 15 or possibly October 31, to permit the control of the disputed area by an international commission and the gradual occupation by British troops before cession to Germany. “Czecho-Slovakia agrees to demobilisation and the revision of its Treaty system. The Czechs, however, do not agree to the evacuation of the territory. demobilisation or abandonment of the fortifications before the new border line is determined, or the exchange of populations is guaranteed, or a new system of international guarantees that the nation's independence is assured. “The Czechs also do not agree to a plebiscite in regions having a majority of Czech population. Tile Note asks President Roosevelt to arbitrate should the negotiations fail. ' CZECHS AM.AZED SHORT TIME FOR DECISION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 30, 11.55 p.m.) PRAGUE, September 30. In an official statement, Mr Chamberlain requested the Czech reply to the Munich decisions at noon. The Government is amazed at the shortness of time for a decision of such crushing responsibility. ANGLO-FRENCH PROPOSALS CZECH ACCEPTANCE OF PRINCIPLE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 30, 6.30 p.m.) PRAGUE, September 29. An official communique states that the Czech Government has accepted the principle, but with some reservations, of the British plan for the execution of the Anglo-French proposals. Czech acceptance of the British plan was communicated to Munich before the opening of the conference. This implies that the Czechs are insisting that the basis for the negotiations remains the Anglo-French plan and that they are still rejecting the German memorandum.

OUTLINE OF PLAN EVOLVED IN PRAGUE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 30. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Daily Mail” learns that the plan discussed at Munich was set out in Notes sent by Mr Chamberlain on September 28 to the Czechs, to Herr Hitler and to Rome. It was accepted by the Czechs with certain reservations. It provides: I_The Germans to occupy the Asch and Eger areas on October 1. II. —An international commission, probably under Lord Runciman, to be set up to delimit areas that can be ceded to Germany, the commission to study economic features and decide the material goods that can be handed over. HI. —Areas ceded to be divided into two parts, the first to be handed over on October 15, and the second on October 31. IV. —An international military force, consisting probably of British. Italian, Belgian and Dutch troops, to police the area to protect the Czechs while the Czechs withdraw the mobile frontier defences. V. After October 31, the areas where plebiscites will be held will be considered as those under Czech sovereignty. As it is impossible to send armed foreign troops for police purposes, this will probably be done by a civilian corps, the British Legion being the likeliest. VI. The new frontiers to be guaranteed by France, Britain, Italy and Germany, France and Britain guaranteeing to Germany that the Czechs will carry out their part of the Franco-British agreement. Further information available to foreign newspapers states: “It is said the agreement does not contain pro- \ ision for a corridor through Moravia to the German language enclaves. In place of a plebiscite in purely German districts, an adjustment may be provided. It is reported that plebiscites will be held in mixed language districts.” The information adds: “Mr Chamberlain received Czech representatives during the interval of the conference, but it is not yet known how the Czechs react to the agreement of the big Powers.”