DANGER STILL REMAINS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 121, 25 May 1938, Page 7

DANGER STILL REMAINS

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN SITUATION ATTITUDE OF POLAND INDICATED ACTS AS RESTRAINING INFLUENCE ON MARSHAL GOERING BRITAIN’S FIRMNESS AS MEDIATOR (Br Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received May 24, 5.5 p.m. LONDON May 23. The diplomatic correspondent of the Associated Press states that the situation in Czechoslovakia continues easier but that danger unquestionably remains and the future is very obscure. The reported provocative statement by the French Foreign Office spokesman that if Germany crossed the Czech frontier it would automatically start a war. as France would respect het engagements to Czechoslovakia as a victim of aggression, despite The fact that it has since been denied, is believed to have been inspired bv M. Bonnet, the Foreign Minister, and placed Britain in a delicate situation. It is gathered that Mr. Chamberlain’s peace-making efforts are not only directed toward Herr Henlein, but with equal firmness toward the French, the Czech President, and Herr Hitler. Dr. Benes continues to be as much a key man as Herr Henlein. A conversation between the German Ambassador in Warsaw. Herr H. A. von Moltke. and the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs. Colonel Beck, has an important bearing on the situation. Herr von Moltke sought to ascertain Poland’s attitude in the event of German troops entering Czechoslovakia. It is reported that Colonel Beck intimated that if Britain and France arc embroiled lhe Poles will join them, and that this is a restraining influence on Marshal Goering, who is pressing Herr Hitler to take drastic military action against Czechoslovakia. The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post’s Prague correspondent states that it is now possible to say that when the Czechoslovak Cabinet met on May 20 the reports left no doubt that Germany was planning another week-end coup d’etat on the lines of Austria. The courageous action of the Czechs in manning the defences without excitement but with clockwork precision. combined with diplomatic support from abroad, proved 1o be a successful deterrent. It is reliably estimated that the number of men still under arms is 400,000. A Berlin message states that official German headquarters emphasise that the situation is still tense. A frontier incident might have far-reaching consequences. Two alleged frontier violations are reported, namely the ’plane incident and an allegation that Czech soldiers attempted to set on fire the Czech side of the bridges at Ulrichsburg and Hohenfurts.