Evening star., 1939-03-18
Protectorute Has
No Legal Bosis,
Notes Say
BULLETIN.


German foreign office spokes-
man today declared Germany
would meet with "sharpest
reputation" British and
French notes denouncing the
absorption of Czecho -Slova-
kia as illegal.
With Adolf Hitler on his
way home from Vienna and
the pace of his "Drang mach
Osten"-march to the east
quickening at the threshold
Of Rumanian oil and wheat
fields, Berlin officialdom stood
its ground and declared that
erasure of the Czecho -Slovak
republic was "done legally"
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 18.-The British
government, acting in concert with
France, directed its Ambassador in
Berlin to deliver formal note to
the German government saying the
invasion of Czecho- -Slovakia repre-
sented "a complete reputation OF
the Munich agreement"
The British foreign Office an
nounced also that the note which
Ambassador Sir Neville Henderson
was instructed to present would
state that his majesty's govern
ment regard as without legal basis
the changes effected by Germany S
military action in Czecho-Slovakia.
The French government an
nounced in Paris that similar
note would be presented by the
French Ambassador in Berlin.
The British announcement out
lining the nature of the note to be
presented said that recent events
in Central Europe represented a
complete reputation of the Munich,
agreement and the undertakings OF
peaceful cooperation exchanged at
that time by the parties to it."
Halifax Sees Eden.
Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Vis-
count Halifax spent 20 minutes in
consultation with his predecessor,
Anthony Eden, leading to specula-
ton that the government might be
considering another cabinet reshuffle.
The High Commissioners of South
Africa, New Zealand, Australia and
Ireland called at the dominions Of
flee. Lord Halifax also conferred
with the American, French and
Soviet Russian Ambassadors.
Lord Halifax, who had decided
before the Premier that the ap.
peasement policy was futile, was
believed actively seeking views ol
other powers on a course of action.
German Ambassador Herbert Won
Dirksen also called at the foreign
office, giving rise to speculation that
he might have been ordered to re-
turn to Berlin in retaliation for
Britain's calling home of Ambassa-
dor Henderson ito report" Sir
Neville is expected to remain here
some time.
ct is persistently rumored in
Berlin that DR.. Won Dirksen may
be recalled as a retort to the
summoning of Sir Neville to Lon
don, the Chicago Daily News
correspondent reported. Official
quarters declined to comment
on the report)
Hudson Sees Halifax.
Another caller on Lord Halifax
was Overseas Secretary R. S. Hud-
son, who left today on a trade mis-
sion to Moscow and other Northern
European capitals-pointedly omit
ting Berlin.
His trip gained added significance
since Mr.. Chamberlain outspoken
declaration of Britain's determina-
ton to resist aggression and to
cooperate with other nations
against any attempt to dominate
Europe.
It was believed Mr.. Hudson called
at the foreign Office to receive final
instructions for his trip and in view
of recent signs of British read
lEess TO promote friendly relations
with Russia it was regarded as
likely he would be used to sound
out Moscow on possible active CO.
operation.
He limited political discussions
might overshadow other aspects of
(See NOTES. PAGE A-61