Evening star., 1938-09-08
RUNC|MAN SEEN
Debating TERMS
Latest Czech Proposal
Differs From HenIein
Plan at Karor.
By PERTINAX.


BY PERTINAX.
PARIS, Sept 8 (N.A.NA). THE
moment is drawing near when the
international crisis will come to 8
head.
Sir Neville Henderson, the British
Ambassador to Berlin, was able tC
tell the German foreign minister
Joachim Won Ribbentrop. last week
that England would stand by the side
Of France if France should be called
upon to carry out her obligations un-
der the 1925 treaty toward CZecho-
slovakia. On the other hand, last
June and July the British and French
governments came to the conclusion
that concessions to be proffered tc
the Sudeten Germans ought not en-
croach upon the sovereignty o.
Czechoslovakia and her freedom OF
movement as regards the conduct Of
foreign policy.
Under such circumstances, the prob
lem upon which Hitler has to reach
a decision would seem to be clear
cut one and rather simple in it!
terms. In fact, it is much more com.
plicated than it may look because
the attitude Of the British government
Is not as definite as it would oppeal
80 on the surface.
Three points must be kept in minc
10 appreciate accurately the chances
OF peace and war at the present hour
Two Important Differences.
First, the latest proposals of Presi,
dent Benes and Premier Hodza to the
Sudeten Germans go a long way to-
ward the program defined by KonraC
Henlein, the Sudeten leader, at Kar-
lovy Vary on April "a. However, the
proposals differ from that program or
two all-important points.
Benes and Hodza do not admit thai
the German community of Czechoslo.
vakia should be entitled to profess the
political philosophy of the German
Reich; in other words, enforce racial
legislation and appoint an omnipotent
Fuehrer able to trample upon the civil
and political liberties of private citi-
Eens
They do not recognize either that
admission of the German community
of Czechoslovakia to a status of full
equality with the Czechs should bring
IN its trail cancellation of the treaties
Of alliance with France and Russia.
They are not ready to grant any
thing that might impair the efficiency
of the Czechoslovak army and the
Czechoslovak state police. They dc
not want to entrust important diplo-
matte, military and police functions to
German-speaking citizens of doubtful
loyalty
Wide Gulf Still Exists.
Therefore, however great NAV be the
= concessions made to Henlein, wide
gulf still exists between them and the
Henleln program. Also it should be
noted that Henlein did not on April "a
include in the oft-quoted eight points
his request for denunciation of Czecho.
slovakla's alliance with France ane
Russia, such as was expressed in an.
other part Of his same speech.
Second. contrary to what was be-
lieved yesterday it is far from being
confirmed that Lord Runciman con-
slders the latest proposals of the Praha
government to the Sudetan Germans
as fnal. He has encouraged Benes
and Hodza to submit them to Henlein
and his friends. But he has not said
tnat ne regards them as the CLOSING
chapter OF the negotiations and that
If appealed to by the Sudeten Germans
ne would indorse that compromise
against all Indeed he has NOT
pledged himself to do anything of the
klnd, but has been careful to remain
tree to formulate an award that may
perhaps go beyond the limits upor
which Benes and Hodza have made ur
tnelr minds not to trespass.
He is said to have exclaimed "Ret.
Ter the whole program of Karlovy
Vary than war" What he meant by
tne whole program of Karlovy Vary
Is open to doubt. Anyhow, it is that
eventual award of Lord Runciman's
mat the British government probably
means to lndorse and not the scheme
produced by the President of Czecho-
sioVakia and his prime minister.
Seek Assent of French.
Third, some indications are avail
able to the effect that the British
government has been trying for the
last 48 hours to obtain the assent
OF the French government to that
eventual award of Lord Runciman
euch may have been the object of
the latest meeting between Foreign
Minister Georges Bonnet and Sir Eric
fnlpps. British Ambassador to Paris
AS an outcome of the Anglo French
conference of April 20 and of the
Interior exchange of views. Great
Britain is bound first, to Cooperate
1ully with France if Hitlerian Ger
many resorts to violence to solve the
Czechoslovak problem while a process
OF conciliation is in progress, and.
second. to further compromise that
would not clash with Czechoslovakia s
sovereignty, particularly as regards
Foreign policy, a principle fully ac-
cepted by Henlein when he was in
London last April. The third point
has been fully adhered to hitherto
Let us hope that the second point
Will not be stretched to cover a
very questionable Interpretation of its
meaning
Copyright. 1898. by the North Ameri:,,