Evening star., 1938-08-14

because postwar France and England
realized their military and economic need
for such state. 1t has followed that mis-
sion. useful and obedient to the two big
Western powers.
France, while it can attack Germany
along the Rhine and can send only air.
planes to Czechoslovakia, must take
stand against a greater Reich. France is
clear on its position and a French military
mission under Gen. Fouche who has been
here for 20 years, has planned the strategy
for the Czechs
England, talking of justice and fairplay
in the midst of bargaining. strives to ward
of another war, but there is little doubt
here that she would follow France. The
time has not come when the two big ma
tions can afford to sell their faithful little
ally down the river. Belligerent Germany
realizes that Czechoslovakia. though ready
to 60 it alone. will have help, and that is
the greatest assurance against war.
At home. Czechoslovakia tides over the
crisis by spreading rug over hole in the
floor. Germany loudly proclaims that the
country is the evangel OF Communism in
Europe which is ridiculous. Germany de-
mands that the Czechs treaty with Moscow
be Cancelled, but the Sudeten Germans have
dropped that from their demands as show
ing too plainly who is coaching them.
Because of Germany's noisy backing, so
much has been heard Of the German
minority that the discomfort Of other
minorities. or nationalities. gets little space.
problem of the country.
Other Races Stubborn.
Their country is precious to the Czechs
and they are determined to rule it. They
have not stopped to think. until the pres
ent, that other races. with similar centuries
OF background especially the Sudeten Ger
mans, with the same trace of stubborn
Prussian blood as the Czechs. cannot be
absorbed or cowed in a few years. The
Germans are the most vociferous-being
backed by the Reich-but the other minori-
ties Hungarians, Russians, Poles and even
the Slovaks have grievances.
From the first, the Czechs controlled the
central government in Prague. The answer
made to the German assertion that the
Czechs wrecked the German banks and
factories, in the heavily industrialized
: horseshoe around the Western end of the
country, is that the government financed
the banks up to IS per cent after the war
and that the economic downfall was due
to speculation in inflated German marks
and the latter world depression. Many Of
the factories are owned by absentee Ger
mans. while German customs barriers,
competition from Germany and Japan in
textiles, glass and porcelain in the world
market and other trade currents slowed
down industrial output.
Each nationality was permitted to use
its own language in schools and local affairs.
which few other countries allow. At the
same time, Czech was officially the ma
tional language. More than that, most of
the district officials appointed by the CEN
trail government were Czechs.
The chief grievance of the minorities is
that so few of their people, in proportion
to their population. were appointed As
civilian officials or employees. That also was
a fair measure Of the extent to which they
were deprived of a voice in public affairs.
Autonomous Minorities Opposed.
The minorities want autonomous govern
ments of their own. That is the outstand-
ing issue with the Germans The Czechs
are firmly opposed, even if it brings war
and the end of the republic They say that
n MI ii
with it's anti-Semitism, church restriction
and oppression OF non-party followers, but
also would be only short step to open
secession from Czechoslovakia and annexa-
tion to Germany. They point out that half
million Czechs live in this Sudeten area.
while 100000 Germans are scattered
through the Czech portion.
The government proposal is that the
country be divided into its four old prov
inces of Bohemia Moravia, Slovakia and
Ruthenia. Each would have a legislature
of two houses, based on the nationalities in
the district. In Bohemia, for example,
where 80 per cent of the population is
classed as German, 80 members would be
elected to the German House for every 68
W SZcCn I1OuSc. OlOVdhS, l1uHSdTldHS
Poles and Russians, all except the Jews
would be cared for in other provinces.
Each House would legislate for its own
nationality and the entire body for the
province.
Each province would be further divided
into counties, whose officials and those of
the municipalities would be elected, in
stead of being appointed from Prague as at
present. The provinces would take over
most of the functions now exercised in
Prague by the various ministries. The ma
tional government would be in sole con-
troll of foreign relations finances and mill
tary affairs
If this is agreed upon-which 1t will not
be without arguments-France and Britain,
Germany and Italy may be invited to sign
treaty guaranteeing the neutrality Of
Czechoslovakia. One inquiring editor asks
why the Soviet Union, Poland, Yugoslavia,
Rumania and Hungary are not invited to
sign it.
A new treaty would taks tn plaes a