Evening star., 1938-10-02

September, q great Nazi party rally
was to be held at Nuremberg. Mean
while, q new series Of proposals from
the Czech government was carried by
Henlein to Hitler at Berchtesgaden
and counter proposals carried back.
As Hitler's pronouncement at the
party rally was awaited, bad situ-
alton developed In France with a
demonstration Of unwillingness on the
part Of labor to extend the 44-hour
working week to meet the emergency.
At the same time, however, France.
affirmed its intention to support the
Czechs against German aggression.
Speaking at Nurnberg, Field Marshal
Goering referred to Czechoslovakia as
state without culture and no one
knows where this splinter came from"
On September IL the Fuehrer spoke,
denouncing as ''unbearable" "the
shameless i'll treatment" of the Su-
deten. situation he refused to toler-
ate and longer. Disorders led to the
proclamation of martial law by the
Czech government and demands by
Henlein that martial law be ended. A
point of extreme gravity had been
reached.
With dramatic suddenness the Brit
ish Premier few 600 miles to Hitlers
mountain retreat for direct negotia-
ton. The Czech government decreed
the disbandment of the Sudeten Nazis.
Henlein fled the country and the or
C,,la lata
along the frontier was begun.
Conference Held in London.
On his return from Germany Prime
| Minister Chamberlain conferred with
French Premier Daladier and Foreign
Minister Bonnet and the two powers
joined in urging Czech concessions.
At the same time Mussolini was de-
claring '1taly's place is already
chosen French and British public
opinion was slowly crystallizing. real
istically yearning for peace, idealisti-
cally deploring the sacrifice of Czecho-
slovakia. In Geneva the Russian Lit
vinoff declared Russia's intention to
support the Czechs if France did.
Once again Chamberlain went to
Hitler, this time at Gotesberg The
German demanded immediate surren-
der OF the claimed area, Chamberlain
measured consideration of frontier rec
tif1cation. Modified Czech feeling led
to the fall of Premier Hodza and the
heading Of the government by Gen.
Syrovy. Military preparations became
general throughout Europe War
seemed so inevitable that the American
President in notes to the heads of the
states involved pointed out the grave
consequences of their actions.
With dramatic suddenness the ten.
sion was relieved. While Chamberlain
was addressing the House of Commons.
word came to him that acceptances
had been received for a conference
between the German. French, Italian
and British heads Of government in
Munich on September 49, Out Of that
conference came the agreement fol
gradual Czech withdrawal from Ger.
tain contested areas, plebiscites to fis
the status Of other areas and INA,
determination Of frontiers by an inter.
national commission.
As we end these discussions 1t might
be we'll to quote a paragraph from
"Me1n Kampf" without identifying
that passage either as history OF
prophecy. That passage reads:
mo nation on earth holds a SQUARE
yard of territory by any right derived
from heaven. Frontiers are made ano
altered by human agency alone. The
fact that nation succeeds in acquir.
ing an unfair share Of territory is nc
superior reason for its being respected
forever. 1t merely proves the strength
Of the conqueror and the weakness OF
those who lose by it. This strength
alone constitutes the right to possess