Evening star., 1938-05-29

west Of Praha and only 40 miles from the
German border. Despite the great defensive
works and the efficient anti-aircraft pro-
lection 1t could be seriously damaged by a
determined air attack.
1t Is difficult these days to find out the
exact number Of fighting planes each coun-
try has. The actual figures are secret and
do not correspond to the figures each gov
ernment gives the League Of Nations. As
far as can be ascertained, Czechoslovakia
possesses something like 900 fighting planes.
In view Of an eventual conflict with
Germany the general staff started build
ing little "Maginot lne"-permanent
concrete Notifications 1898. This line
was completed some time ago and Is be-
lieved to be able to offer serious resistance
to any invading army. Since May IS it
has been fully manned and provided with
everything necessary for long resistance
food and ammunition.
Austrian Border Unguarded.
But the Czechoslovak frontier with what
used to be the Austrian Republic is un-
guarded. Nobody in Europe believed that
Austria would disappear as an independent
state overnight. Hence the Praha govern
ment had not taken the same costly pre-
cautions toward Austria. Furthermore,
the easygoing Austrian troops have been
sent to East Prussia and other parts Of
the Reich and tough Prussian battalions
have replaced them. The road from Vienna
through Linz is open to the German armies.
There are not even natural defenses-
mountains and marshes-to help the
Czechoslovaks. True enough, in the last
few weeks the army engineers have been
working day and night organizing light
Notifications, pillboxes, trenches, etc., but
their defensive value is questionable.
This small but effective army of Czecho-
slovakia would be pitted, in case it comes
to war, against the most efficient army in
the world-the German Army. The pres
ent peace strength of the Reichswehr is
estimated at 850,000 men. The actual war
strength of the army is between 3,5o0,00O
and 4,500,000 men. Despite the lack of
raw materiels the Krupp factories at Essen
have provided Hitlers forces with every
conceivable modern weapon; military ex-
perts of all the great powers suspect that
the German military genius will spring
some entirely new surprises on the world
should major war break out. For the
time being it is believed that the German
Army has ample arms, ammunition and
all other kinds of provisions necessary
for the prosecution of war for II months.
With the use of substitutes, which have
been rapidly developed by the German SCI
entists, it is considered possible the Reich
could fight Independent of imports from
overseas for two years.
$500 Planes in Reich.
The German aviation is believed to con-
sist Of something like 45o0 up-to-date
planes These are distributed in compare
lively small groups all over the country.
The army can be shifted from one end
to the other of the Reich in a short space
of time. 1t is for this reason that the
Berlin government can truthfully say that
it has concentrated no forces on the
Czechoslovak borders. The army corps in
Dresden, Leipzig and Munich can be dis
patched to the frontier with lightning
rapidity The example Of the 'interven-
ton" in Austria is instructive.
1t was on q Wednesday afternoon that
Schuschnigg made his statement that he
would have q plebiscite to decide whether
or not the Austrians wanted to join the
Reich. On Thursday Hitler had not made
up his mind what to do. On Friday
Schuschnigg indicated that he would not
be bullied and would 60 through with
his proposition. On Friday morning at
2 am. Hitler ordered the mobilization and
the march of $4,000 men. several hundred
tanks and armored cars and 450 planes
over the Austrian borders and on Satur-
day morning they were well into the coun-
try on the way to Vienna.
Should Hitler decide that 1t is necessary
to march into Czechoslovakia the operation
could be done with the same rapidity-
except for the fact that it could not enter
the country with the same ease.
On the eastern border there are five to
six Polish divisions ready to join in the
affray in the event Germany decides to
settle her troubles with Czechoslovakia by
force. The Polish Army Is considered one
of the most dashing in Eastern Europe; but
its actual fighting value is unknown.
Hungary Lacks Equipment
The Hungarians have started arming
only in recent months. They are considered
as good soldiers as any in Eastern Europe,
but they lack airplanes and war equipment.
The $50 planes they are supposed to pos
sess were sold to them by Germany and so
were the few tank battalions. Hungarian
intervention is esteemed more for its nui-
sance value by keeping portion Of the
Czechoslovakian Army occupied In the
south.
There Is no doubt that in face Of these
overwhelming forces gathered against
Czechoslovakia the Central European re-
public could not possibly resist more than
q few days. Any Czech advising resistance
by Czechoslovakia alone would advocate
suicide. But the Praha government Is
counting on the support Of its allies, France
and Russia.
While the French situation Is dimcult,
the chain Of pillbox forti1cations, sup
ported by some 100000 men, make an ad-
vance of the French soldiers into Germany
q serious military problem. The Russians
are in position to be Of effective assistance
to the Czechoslovaks. And 1t IS believed
that word has been received from Moscow
bv Benes to hold tight and not be afraid Of