CZECHS AGHAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1938, Page 7

CZECHS AGHAST

AT GERMAN TERRITORIAL CLAIMS HUGE LOSS OF NATIONALS. GODESBERG DEMANDS SAID TO BE EXCEEDED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, October 7. Reuters Prague correspondent says that the public are stunned by what they regard as the harshness of the boundaries of the fifth zone to be occupied by the Germans. It appears that the Austrian census of 1910 was accepted as the basis for establishing a population of over 50 per cent German. Thus towns like Poiicka, where now there is not ever] a one per cent German population, must be handed over. It is suggested that the Germans insisted on the cession of this area because it contains large munitions factories. It is feared that 800,000 Czechs will pass under German rule or be given the option of leaving their homes within six months. M. Mastny, Czech Minister in Berlin, told the international commission that the Czechs acknowledged the fifth zone frontiers with profound regret, but would undertake to carry out the measures for implementing the decision. The Prague correspondent of “The Times” says that the details of the fifth zone provided the heaviest and most unexpected shock of the crisis. The zone will cut deeply within a few miles of the country’s three main industrial towns, exceeding in area the other four zones combined. It brings the German frontier within three miles of Pilsen, eight miles of Brno and four miles of Mahrisch Ostrau. The Government and public are aghast, declaring that even the Godesberg demands are exceeded and that almost every plebiscite area is included in the fifth zone. An official broadcast said that the new boundaries were submitted to the Czechs in the form of an ultimatum and that protests were unheeded. The Prague correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that Germany was given carte blanche to annex large numbers of almost purely Czech districts. The new line is far worse than that which Mr Chamberlain declared was unacceptable and has resulted in a furious outburst of indignation against Britain and France. The main railway lines from Prague to Slovakia, Moravia, Hungary and Poland will now traverse German territory and the main roads have been cut. The “Daily Mail’s” Berlin correspondent says that well-informed Nazis declare that the fifth zone, as defined by the International Commission, includes all districts bordering on the Reich. Therefore, it is argued, no. plebiscites will be held in the other areas unless the Czechs require them, which is considered unlikely. NEW FRONTIERS. PLEBISCITE FOR PURPOSES OF DEMONSTRATION. LONDON, October 7. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that President Benes’s resignation has greatly hastened the work .of the International Commission. It is understood that the limits of the German occupation on October 10 will roughly determine the future GermanCzech frontiers. The representative -of the British United Press in Berlin says it is reliably reported that a plebiscite will be held in the Sudetenland similar to that which was held in Austria for demonstration purposes. RELEASE OF PRISONERS. RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT REACHED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) Rugby, October 7. It is stated authoritatively in London that the International Commission in Berlin has reached an agreement providing for the reciprocal release of German and Czech prisoners within twenty-four hours. No definite arrangements have been made for the departure to Czechoslovakia of twelve hundred members of the British Legion, pending final instructions, which depend on the decisions of the International Commission. They may make a route march in London tomorrow and there will be a remembrance service on Sunday at the Olympia, where the men are quartered. The men took a mass oath today as members of the “British Legion volunteer police.” THE FOURTH ZONE COMPLETELY OCCUPIED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) PRAGUE, October 7. The occupation of the fourth zone has been completed.

FULL. & FINAL AGREEMENT

REGARDING AREAS TO BE OCCUPIED EXCHANGE OF POPULATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, October 7. The Australian Associated Press says although strangely in the dark regarding details of the International ■ Commission’s progress a report has been received in official quarters that a full and final agreement has been reached regarding the areas to be occupied by Germany, and a plebiscite will be unnecessary. It is understood that generous concessions made to Germany were based on a definite undertaking by Germany that she be a party to a scheme for compensation exchange of populations once the areas claimed are occupied. GENERAL SIROVY’S APPEAL “SET ASIDE RECRIMINATIONS” (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) PRAGUE, October 7. General Sirovy, in an appeal to the army, said: “In this day of deep sor-

row, let us set aside recriminations and discussions, however justified. We must employ all our forces for the security of our new frontiers. Disturbances might be used as a pretext for even crueller intervention. There is nothing left for us but to accept our fate and preserve discipline and order.”