PAN-GERMAN INTRIGUES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 57, 1 December 1920, Page 7

PAN-GERMAN INTRIGUES

RESENTFUL CZECHO-SLOVAKS. . Dr. J. V. Daneo. tho Consul-General m Sydney for th'e Republic of Czechoslovak, commenting upon recent cable messages regarding witi-German riots, said:—"l have not received any direc* news about the riots against the Germans in Prague and other cities of Bohemia, but though they are to be regretted', it is only right and just to say tluit their own policy is wrong, and has provoked' whatever steps have been taken against them by the embittered public. They enjoy equal rights of citizenship of the Czecho-SlovSk Republic, and are therefore much better oil in tho economical sense than their co-nationals in Germany and Austria. The German population in the Czecho-Slovak Republic has beon granted by tho Constitution all rishtfa which a national minority can possibly claim, but they continue to be Pan-Germanists and sympathise and collaborate with all enemies of peaceful evolution of. the democratic Czecho-Slovak Republic for tho restoration of tlie German domination and monarchy. "Our Government and tlio whole Czech nation, have been, very patient to tho pon-Germanist rage; very seldom were insults to the emblems of the republic wilfully perpetrated by Germans punished as they really deserved, but the militan-j pan-Germanists considered it as a eign of weakness, «nd used to openly provoke the Czech population, the police and the military garrisons, by displaying the Pan-German colours, or late Austrian Imperial emblems, and l demonstrating H a[round the 6tatuos of Emperor Joseph, who was the greatest 'promoter of Gcrmanisation of the Slav nations of former Austria.

"I'suppose that the riots aw not as serious us they arc described by thoso who Ret their information from German sources, but it is uotr to bo wondered if the great majority of a State becomes angry over those who only by their birthright are entitled to enjoy all privileges of Czecho-Slovak citizens, but behave like the worst) enemies of the same State. During the whole two years since the Republic was proclaimed the German leaders have been plotting; with the Catholic clericals and aristocrats on one side, and on the other with Bolsheviks, against: the existence of the Czecho-Slovak State, and endeavour, with the help of Magyar propaganda in Slovakia, to thwart the peaceful progress of the llemiblic. They still believo that the Germans are not definitely beaten, and use all means of intriguo to bring about the restoration of the German monarchy. But they underestimate the great patriotism of Hie Sl.av population of tlio Czecho-Slovnk.Jtopnb-lic, as they underestimated always the hidden power of those nations which uhey governed by brutal force.

"The new alliance of Czechoslovakia with Rumania and Jugo-Slnvia is driving their extremists into despair, and they arc. committing- deeds which are simply unbearable to the loyal population of the Republic. There aro many Germane, especially in, the country districts, who appreciate very much'their peaceful and prosperous position under the Republic, but the German Nationalists in the towns, who, under the Austrian rule have been permitted all possible oml-ages against the Czecho-Slav population, and who were the greatest promoters lof the German militarism, have not yet given up their hope for reinstatement of the realm of German 'mailed fist.'"