Evening star., 1938-04-26

PRAHA, April 26.-Fears grew to-
day that if the Sudeten Germans were
given local autonomy within Czecho-
slovakia they would put through anti
Semitic measures like those enforced
in Germany and recently introduced
in Austria.
Such fears were strengthened when
1t was disclosed that published ver-
sions of the speech made by the Nazi-
fed Sudenten Germans leader, Kon-
rad Henlein, at Karlovy Vary Sunday
contained only fraction of what he
told his followers.
The published version covered only
four typewriter pages, but it is
known that Henlein spoke for more
than an hour.
In no published account of what
was said at Karlovy Vary was the
Jewish problem mentioned. But Jews
fear that Henlein's Identification of
his movement with Adolf Hitler's Nazi
creed must mean that anti-Semitic
instructions were given behind closed
doors.
Interesting Claim.
The account of Henlein's speech
published in the party organ. Die Zeit,
revealed an interesting claim, that the
sections of Czechoslovakia which
clearly are German comprise an area
Of 1852 square miles The entire
area of Czechoslovakia is 54,24O square
miles.
Henlein also declared the Germans
had an absolute majority in 3,466
communes. Czech government spokes-
men estimate the number at only
2,500
Henlein was fresh from confer
ence in Berlin with Field Marshal
Goering.
There were two other developments
which could scarcely be condolences.
The big Hungarian Revision League
at meeting in Budapest demanded
the return of Slovakia, which was
taken from Hungary at the end of
the war and made part of Czecho-
slovakia. A minority of Slovaks has
Joined in claiming autonomy.
At the same time an agitation has
been started for the autonomy of a
slice of Northern Czechoslovakia
which contains Poles.
Henlein's Demands Rejected.
A firm no" was said by political
circles to be Czechoslovakias answer
to Henlein's demand that she change
her foreign policy to suit Germans
within her borders. a.
These wel-informed circles said it
was an unacceptable proposition which
the government would not consider
under any circumstances.
The government was represented as
inclined to suspend Judgment on Hen
lein's other seven demands, made on
behalf Of 3,500,OOO Germans In
Czechoslovakia, until the leader Of
the country's Sudeten German. party
furnished more concrete details.
Henlein's demands constituted an
eight point program calling for self
government, with Nazi principles for
Czechoslovakia's Sudeten Germans.
The government was said to see
IN Henleln's demands no new basis
for negotiations and would therefore
continue on its present course to
work out its own proposed minorities
statute.
Meanwhile, unidentified rowdies at
1heusing, near Marienbad, broke the
WINDOWS IN Jewish shop and SIM
1larly damaged Jewish rabbits home
IN minor disturbance.
(In Berlin Adolf Hitler's newspaper
Voelkischer Beobachter, described
Henlein's demands as moderate, com.
pared with the suffering and oppres-
sion of the Germans in Czechoslo-
vakia)
Regarding the Sudeten claims for
the rights of the same weltanschurne
(World outlook as that obtaining in
the German Reich, government circles
pointed out there was liberty of con-
science in Czechoslovakia.
The profession of Hitler's doctrines.
they said. is admissible only so long
as they do not interfere with the world
outlook Of other citizens.
Totalitarianism. therefore, is out. it
was added.
Meanwhile, a high thanking official
OF Henlein's party said fulfillment of
his demands would mark only the be-
ginning Of better relations between
Sudeten Germans and the Czechs.
FOREIGN POWERS HIT.