Evening star., 1938-05-24
Optimism Fades as Peace
Talks of HenIein and
Hodza Collapse.
PARLEY WILL RESUME,
OFFICIALS DECLARE
Sudetens Demand Evacuation of
Their Districts as Condition
to Renew Discussions.

CsechoSlopdk German tension
heightened as result OF killing OF
tiDo Sudeten Germans by Czech
border guards Saturday on eue OF
Czechoslopakian municipal elec-
tions. Czechs also increased armed
forces to halt million by calling re-
serues. Troops reinforced border,
and pere stationed through Sudeten
German areas, phere disorders hare
occurred recently.
BULLETIN.
VIENNA. May "a (P.-A close
friend of Kurt Schuschnigg said
today the former Austrian chan
cellor suffered nervous break
down two days ago in the Belve-
dere Palace, where he has been de-
tanned since the German annexa-
ton.
BY the Associated Press.
PRAHA, May 24-Reports Of new
troop movements on the German side
Of Czechoslovakia's southern frontier
combined with interruption of the
Hodza -Henlein peace talks here today
to discourage such optimism as had
developed after Central Europe's criti-
cal week end.
In official quarters reports circulated
that yesterdays withdrawal of Ger
man troops from the border took place
only in Saxony and that they fell
back only about 20 miles.
On Czechoslovakia's frontier with
Austria it was said the concentration
Of German troops actually had in
creased.
The sudden departure from Praha
Of Konrad Henlein caused suspension
Of his negotiations with Premier Milan
Hodza or the dangerous issues be-
tween his Sudeten German party and
the Czechoslovak government.
Troop Withdrawal Demanded.
This coincided with reports the
Sudeten Germans were demanding
withdrawal of Czechoslovak troops
mobili1ed over the week end in the
Sudeten districts as q condition te
continuation Of peace talks con.
dition Praha officials indicated II
would be difficult to meet.
The Austro-Czec border Is by fal
the most vulnerable section of Czecho.
slovakias long frontier, for there is q
wide gap in the mountain chains
which form the republics natural
defense against invasion.
Although it was officially stated that
conversations between Hodza and
Henlein were expected to be resumed
toward the end of the week, a strong
undercurrent Of skepticism was ap-
parent in references of government
spokesmen to this point.
The governments position appar.
emily is that there Is small chance
OF reaching a real agreement with
Henlein until it becomes perfectly
clear that the Sudeten Germans can
expect no help from Reichsfuehrer
Hitler, their self-proclaimed protector
under any circumstances.
Premier Milan Hodza and Henlein
talked for more than two hours last
night, and were to have met again
today with two Sudeten German men,
bers of Parliament.
Arrangements Called OF.
At 10 am, however, the arrange
ments were called of and Henlein de-
parted.
Last nights talks between Hodza
and Henlein were said to have been
encouraging" although Of purely an
informatory character.
Official quarters in Praha were
frankly dubious about the chances OF
meeting any sweeping demands on
troop Withdrawals.
It was pointed out that there are
elections next Sunday and June IL,
and that withdrawing troops would
Geo NZEFH pore A.A1