CZECH PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 132, 7 June 1938, Page 7

CZECH PROBLEMS

New Demand For Autonomy SLOVAKS DEMONSTRATE MAY EVEN JOIN GERMANY LEADER’S DECLARATION (By Telegraph—Pre» Association —Copyright) Received June 6, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, June 5. The Prague correspondent of The Times says tht 100,000 supporters of the Slovakian People’s Party demonstrated at Bratislava in support of the demand for autonomy which Father Hlinka, the party leader, declares must be secured even at the cost of joining Germany. Poland also must be in accordance with the Pittsburg Agreement, reached between the Czechs and the Slovaks before the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The principles of this agreement are generally accepted, but other Slovaks, including Dr. Hodza and Dr. Deter, Minister of Justice, disagree with Father Hlinka’s views. The Slovakian People’s Party is promoting an Autonomy Bill aiming at the establishment of a Slovak Diet and Law Courts with complete control of all Slovakian matters. Half a million workers, members of the Czech Social Democratic Party, demonstrated at Prague in the presence of Dr. Benes in favour of a democracy and peace. They carried banners inscribed: “Imprison Henlein or banish him’’’