Evening star., 1938-05-21

ognition to the equality demands OF
the various national groups and safe
guard their cultural, economic and
social life.
Despite his assurances, preparations
for tomorroW's elections in 232 districts
proceeded in an atmosphere OF anxiety
as a result of scattered disturbances.
which Praha authorities called the
usual prediction scutfles without
bloodshed."
The ministry of interior, in antici-
patton of clashes, some time ago took
special precautionary measures to
maintain quiet and order during the
campaign and the elections.
The measures included special po-
lice protection and stationing of sem
tries at all public buildings within the
Sudeten German districts to prevent
possible attacks or raids by opposition
groups.
Police also were stationed at every
campaign meeting to see to rapid dis
persal of crowds and nip in the bud
any attempts at street demonstrations
or other mass assemblies.
Nazi Press at High Pitch.
Page-long descriptions of reported
troop attacks on Sudeten Germans in
Czechoslovakia were featured by the
German press, whipping antl-Czech
feeling to a white glow.
Under large red headlines like
"Praha. Where Do You Co. "Un-
bearable Challenges and Czech
Provocation Creates Serious Situa-
ton Berlin newspapers gave their
entire front pages to disturbances in
Praha, Brno and Komotau. where, ac-
cording to their version, several hum
dred Germans were injured in provo
cative clashes.
In German official quarters it was
said there must be men even in
Praha official circles who prefer po-
lice clubs to negotiations and intimi-
dation to reasonable settlement"
100 Reported Injured.
The official German news agency.
Deutsches Nachrichtenbuero, said ap-
proximately 100 Sudeten Germans
were injured at Komotau as result
Of an attack by Czechoslovak soldiers.
Meanwhile, Praha authorities and
government circles minimized the Ger
man reports of disorders.
Praha police said only few persons
were arrested during yesterdays dis
turbances.
Sudeten Committees Meet.
Political committees of the Nazi-
inclined Sudeten German party, held
conferences in Praha, Brno and
number of other Sudeten towns yes
terday in protest against reported
outrages against the German popula-
ton.
In joint communique the commit
tees said evidence indicated that
Communist, Socialist and Czech ele-
ments united in provoking and attack
ing Sudeten Germans to the extent
that the lives and safety of individual
Germans were endangered"
The committees informed Premier
Milan Hodza the Sudeten party would
not enter deliberations on the minority
problem until peace and order, the
most primitive constitutional rights
of free speech and liberty of presence
is guaranteed in Sudeten German dis.
tricts."
HenIein Reported With Hitler.
Reports current in Praha said Hem
lein, meanwhile. went to see Reichs-
fuehrer Hitler at Berchtesgaden to re-
port on his London trip and receive
further instructions for conferring
with Hodza.
1t is now said in Czech authoritative
quarters that Henlein and Hodza are
scheduled to meet next Tuesday or
Wednesday with the acting British
Minister at Praha serving as inter-
mediary.
Another report reached Praha from
Warsaw saying Polish Foreign Minister
Joseph Beck soon would begin pre-
liminary talks with the Czech Minis
ter, Juraj Slavik, on the question OF
the Polish minority in Czechoslovakia.
Budapest Is Aroused.
Political circles in Budapest were
aroused by the reports sandbag bar
ricades have been thrown up on
Czechoslovakia's Pilsen-Eger road.
All strategic points in and near Eyer.
where the two Sudeten Germans were
killed, were said to have been occu-
pied by Czech troops. who strung
barbed wire projections and set up
machine guns.
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