Evening star., 1939-03-25
New German Move
To Capture Czech
Legation Expected
SIovok independence
Seen Lever to Force
Transfer by Hurbon
BY the Associated Press.

preparing flank attack to capture"
the Czech Legation here. now def
antly held by Vladimir Hurban, still
recognized as Minister to the United
States from what was Czecho-
Slovakia.
The plan would involve taking
over the Legation by nominally in
dependent Slovakia, but it is ex-
pected to meet determined resist
ance by Mr.. Hurban. who probably
would have the moral support of
the State Department.
This Government has not yet an
nounced its attitude toward the new
state of Slovakia, except as might
be implied in general condemnation
Of Germany's ''lawless' acts in dis
membering Czecho-Slovakia. Sec
retary of State Hui. said yesterday
he was awaiting clarification of Slo-
vakia's exact status.
The Secretary said Germany's
recent actions seriously threatened
world peace and called for cooper
alton from all American citizens
and the world at large in the
urgent task of strengthening the
peace structure by fostering "the
rule of law and the building of
sound economic relationships.
Tactics Are Indicated.
Dispatches reaching here from
reliable sources indicated the tao
tics to be employed in Germany's
reported new plan to obtain the
Czech Legation here would evolve
thus:
Germany and Slovakia have signed
25-year treaty guaranteeing Slo-
vakia as an autonomous state.
Slovakia. with a population of
2,450,0O0, will be 'independent,"
with its own foreign minister and
foreign service. Its foreign policy,
of course, will be dove-tailed with
that of Germany.
Germany will not make any form
al announcement OF the treaty to
the United States, and will thereby
avoid another snub such as she re-
ceived when she told this Govern
ment of her "protectorate" over
Bohemia and Moravia, and received,
in reply, refusal to recognize the
legality of what she had done.
Instead, Slovakia will make the
announcement here. She will claim
to be the heir of the Czecho-S -Slovak
state.
She will assert she is the sole por-
ton OF Czecho- -Slovakia to remain
Independent.
Then she will claim that such
Czech Legations as have not been
turned over to Germany are right
fully hers, by way of inheritance.
She will assert the right to the
Czech Legation here.
Indications Hurban to Resist.
Minister Hurban is a Slovak.
Nevertheless, there are indications
he will resist the Slovak claim Just
as he did the German one, and re-
fuse to turn over his Legation.
If he adopts this attitude, it is
learned reliably, the State Depart
ment will give him the same moral
support it is now according him in
his defiance of Germany. The de-
partment's position will be based,
1t is said, on belief that Slovakia Is
not really an independent state, but
Is actually protectorate of Hitler.
Meanwhile, the Treasury formally
applied higher tariff duties to prod
ucts from Memel, which has been
acquired by the Reich. BY form
ally designating these products as
German, the ordered deprived them
Of favorable tariff treatment ac-
corded to other countries, and made
them subject, In addition, to a Is
per cent countervailing duty which
will 60 into effect against German
goods April %. ....
The exports Of Memelland to this
country are, however, relatively in
significant, since the whole of
Lithuania, which yielded Memelland
to the Reich, ships less than 1,000,-
900 worth here year.