Evening star., 1938-08-14

CzechOSlODdktd has been h0rGSSed
since German seizure OF Austria BY
agitation OF the Sudeten German
minority for autonomy. Recently
proposals pere made by the Czech
government to settle the fight. Wis
count Runcin,an OF Great Britain
Is in Prdha in effort to mediate
controversy and prevent possible
outbreak of possible ,Dorld Udr.
b. the Associated Press.
PRAHA, Czechoslovakia, Aug. 13-
Czechoslovakias minister to Berlin
conferred with government leaders to-
day and observers believed their talk
centered on the forthcoming German
Army maneuvers.
The minister. Voytech Mastny, ar
rived here last night for the confer
ences with Premier Milan Hodza and
other high government officials.
Some uneasiness was felt among the
Czechoslovak population over prepara-
tions for mass troop maneuvers in
Germany. but confidence prevailed
that military authorities were wide
awake and would not be caught nap
ping In the event of a surprise Ger
man move. The press refrained from
devoting much attention to this, how
ever, to avoid unnecessary alarm.
Counter Proposal Rumored.
Talk in informed circles was that
while the government adamantly re-
jects the territorial autonomy demands
Of Nazi Chieftain Konrad Henlein on
behalf of the republics 100000 Su-
deten Germans. it contelnplates pre-
senting its Germanic minority a
counter-proposal.
This was believed to involve the set
ting up of some sort of individual
autonomy" meaning that every men,
Der of any minority shall be granted
complete equality with others. no mat
ter in what part of the country he re-
sides.
1t was thought that such a scheme
might safeguard the position Of small,
isolated minority groups spread over
many parts Of the republic.
Four Parliaments Planned.
The idea would be. to include the
creation of provincial parliaments for
Czechoslovakias four component parts
Bohemia Moravia with Silesia. Slo-
vakia and Carpatho- Russia These
parliaments would elect their own ad-
ministrative governments from nations
Of their local regions.
viscount Runciman. Britains un-
omcial mediator in Czechoslovakia' s
minorities negotiations, discussed the
economic situation in Sudeten territory
today with a number of leading Su-
deten industrialists. There was no
statement as to the specific questions
discussed.
Hungarians Renew Demands.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian minority
renewed demands for autonomy for
themselves and for the naturalization
Of Czechoslovakia. (The republic has
. military defense alliance with Soviet
Russia and France)
The Hungarians maintained Czecho-
slovakia must hold aloof from the
sphere Of interests OF those great
powers which they said had no busi-
ness In the Danube Valley.
Naxis Attack Czech Offlcers.
BERLIN, Aug. Is (P.-The Ger
man press today busted itself in at
tacks on manifesto issued by
Czechoslovak Army officers. terming
It an obstruction" to peaceful solu-
tion OF C7echoslovakias minorities
problem.
The manifesto. issued yesterday, de-
elared there could be mo retreat by
the Society Of Czechoslovak Army
Oficers from the governments stand
that the integrity Of the republic
must remain unimpaired.
The Berliner Lokal Anzeiger COM
mented: THE Czechs show daily how
Incapable they are of creating a state
-" with 80 many different peoples
involved. More serious than anything
else is the conduct Of Czech officers
who confront their own government
In such a tone"
Nachtausgabe branded the mani
festo. "scandalous interference in ne
gotiations for settlement of the minor
tiles problem It added that issuance
Of the manifesto was AN example of
the close cooperation between the
Czech Army and Bolshevism.'