Evening star., 1938-04-03

gone on short rations. CZechosloyaha has
not.
What is Hozda doing to resist the Nazi
pressure? A few weeks ago it was reported
that Nazi troops had been moved close to
the Czechoslok border simultaneously
with Hitler's triumphal march into Vienna,
German airplanes were seen over strate-
gically important Czech positions
The world watches the moves on the in
ternational chess board-and the inde-
pendence of Czechoslovakia appears to BE-
universal concern.
I'VE are prepared" say the Czechoslo-
vakians. How far country which appears
destined to become the battle-ground of
Europe can be prepared is, of course. a mat
ter of speculation. However, the border
areas have been declared forbidden terri
tory. Pill-boxes are mushrooming in the
rugged mountain country. Underground
stands for cannon are being built with
feverish haste. Any enemy bent on inva-
sion would encounter Czech resistance the
moment it tried to cross the border.
What part would the more than three
million Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia
play if Hitler should attempt to seize the,
nation? Would they assist the invader
or would they take up arms against him as
an aggressor? In Prague it is whispered
that Hodza is not counting on any help
from them.
Think of War Reluctantly.
War, however is a possibility of which
Czechs think only with the utmost reluc-
tance. 1t is Hodza's policy to remove the
causes of discord between the Germans and
his own country. 1t is said that he has
conceded about 80 per cent Of the demands
Of Konrad Henlein, leader Of the extremist
Sudeten-German party, which represents
about two-thirds Of the Germans In Czecho-
slovakia
Henlein is Hodza's most vocal opponent
BY some he is said to have an understand
ing with Hitler, and some Czech newspapers
have also charged that his movement is
partly financed from abroad From time to
time he is seen in Berlin.
On New Year Day Henlein predicted that
the Sudeten-German question would re-
main one Of the big European issues Of
1888. And Immediately after Hitler's Aus
trian coup, Henlein stated that "the rights
Of Germans in Czechoslovakia will prevail
against all obstacles"
Hodza has made public statements in
answer to the Henlein demands. He haq
announced that Germans in his nation will
receive the same consideration and rights
as all Czech citizens.
tt. ha
on an intense campaign against Czecho-
slovakia on the ground that she Is an ALL
Of Soviet Russia to which she is bound witt?
a mutual assistance pact.
Foreign Aid Great Unknown.
Foreign help to Hodza's country, in the
event of German invasion. is the great
unknown of this complex situation. I'M
mediately after Hitler's seizure Of Austria
one Of Czechoslovakias allies-France-
announced that she would come to Czecho-
slovakias aid If the nation were invaded
But how could Soviet Russia her other
powerful ally. assist the Czechs in case Of
war? The two countries have no COM
mon frontier, and are separated by noun
famous land and plains that belong to
Rumania and Poland In the last few
months Rumania has gone in for some
high-pressure flirting with the Germans;
Poland is unfriendly to Czechaslovakia,
friendly to the Reich.
Neighboring Hungary remains another
problem. Without the cooperation Of that
key country, lasting peace in the Danube
Valley is dream. But the Budapest gov
ernment would reject Prague's courtship
without rectification Of the frontiers Of
Hungary and Czechoslovakia. The deep
seated conflicts Of the Danube Valley defy
routine diplomatic methods
The dictators storm and thunder, but in
Czechoslovakia the belief prevails that no
country can risk a major war, against a
grown-up enemy, with empty stomachs
Meanwhile, Premier Hodza continues to
maneuver the ship Of state. At this
critical period Of world history he appears
to many Of his oountryussn 70 b ths right
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