MOVE ON CZECHS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 113, 16 May 1939, Page 7

MOVE ON CZECHS

EFFECT IN BRITAIN • e t . v The extraordinary significance oi events in Central Europe is being Q realised here at last, wrote the diplo- f matic correspondent of the Manehes- a ter Guardian on March 16. It will no longer be seriously denied that Europe is again in a state of crisis. The suggestion that the German conquest of Czecho-Slovakia is "no con- 1 cern of ours” wifi be rejected by J every competent observer, even if c there “is nothing we can do about it. i What has astonished many outside I observers is the optimism that was r engendered here, especially last week, in what was generally described as j the Government's view, all the more q so as an action so comprehensive q and so elaborate as the action taken by Germany against Czechoslovakia cannot have been prepared in absolute secrecy. To a large extent this optimism was part of a habitual and persistent effort to conceal the realities of the European situation from the public, because to do so is “good for trade" and make.the policy of "appeasement" less unsuccessful than it actually is. Fears and Relief. I But there is also a more human ex- 1 planation. Early in the year the Cabinet reckoned not only with a major crisis but one which, as pointed out in the Manchester Guardian al | the time, would involve the Western Powers. To put it bluntly, they reckoned with the possibility ot a European war in the present month. During that time official optimism was entirely fictitious. But when it was realised that Hitler and Mussolini had been deterred because the blow thy were prparing against th Western Powers might recoil on themselves, there was a feeling of genuine relief which gave to more recent expressions of optimism at last some slight touch of sincerity. That the blow would fall on the Czechs has been known for some time. The first intimation came about three • weeks ago. and was given by the Czecho-Slovak Government when it ■ invited the “Munich Powers" to give I effect to the promise that the frontiers of Czecho-Slovakia would be : placed under international guarantee. The Czecho-Slovak Government offered to accept neutrality as the international status of the Republic. Information from other Continental capitals followed, and showed that Hitler's objective would be Prague. A Deep Impression. : That the blow would be so ruthless and so annihilating was perhaps not ' anticipated. It has made a very deep I impression here. As a human tra- ,; gedy, the extinction of the Czechoi Slovak Republic transcends imagina- ' I tion. It is the first time that Hitler ’ I has invaded and conquered a country that is not “German” in a “racial” sense. He has again and again professed that he wants only Germans in ! Germany and a “racially” homogene-1 ‘ ous Reich. In his speech on Septem-1 C her 26, he said: “I do not want any ; Czechs." he has now incorporated the 1 entire Czech population in the Reich. 1 Was it necessary for him to occupy - Prague? It was not, for the Czechs ’ capitulated even before that supreme I humiliation was inflicted. The reasons 1 i for the occupation lie in Hitler's own 5 , nature. He is a German romantic, • j and to him Prague is a city of romance, of ancient legend, and as- > sociated with Germany's distant past. - He also hates the Czechs intensely, r and has beer impelled by the wish—- - very evident in his speeches for nearly i a year—to humiliate them and crush r them. Future of Ruthenia. 1 It seems that Hungary and Poland r are to have their way and that Cr.rpathian Ruthenia will be ceded it Hungary. But they will now gain al most nothing. True, they will havt the much-desired common frontier but it is a short one, and with almost nothing in the way of communications, while Slovakia, Germany’s new ally and vassal, is a powerful wedge ■thrust between them. Poland has been outflanked. She is henceforth in a strategic position resembling that of the late Czechoslovak Republic—a position that is extremely difficult. Hungary is now altogether helpless . and is doomed to complete vassalage. G i The way for the advance on Rumania t' will soon be clear. From Slovak air- ' ports German aeroplanes can reach I the Black Sea and Bucharest in tw** n I hours and Constantinople in t-nree I hours.