SLOVAKIA SEEKS INDEPENDENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 144, 14 March 1939, Page 8

SLOVAKIA SEEKS INDEPENDENCE

Having been shorn of strength and prestige by the Munich Agreement, Czechoslovakia has fallen on still more evil days. Dusing the past six months forces of disruption have, been advancing steadily, and even the most optimistic reviewer of the outlook today can see no clear prospect for the ultimate survival of Czechoslovakia as a united nation. The latest crisis, arising out of Slovak claims for complete independence, appears to have been ovetcome by the appointment of a Government more acceptable to the extremists, but it cannot be said with any confidence that matteis will end where they are. The Slovak separatists have made a substantial political gain, and quite possibly will proceed to manoeuvre for further advantage. The Slovak “rising” is of significance to Europe mainly by reason of the forces that lie behind it. Separatism in itself appears as a poor and purposeless ideal, for, as the London Dqily Telegraph has pointed out, a small country with 2,000,000 inhabitants can have no prospect of standing alone. This being so, the creation of a separate Slovak State is simply a convenient means to an end, and Slovak nationalism is being employed as a cat s paw. Behind the campaign is Germany, seeking to extend her influence throughout Eastern Europe and inculcate the spirit of Nazism among potentially useful minor governments. As long ago as in December last, a Slovakian revolutionary meeting was held in Bratislava, attended by the Slovak Premier, Dr. Josef Tiso, the separatist leader, Dr. Yojtetch ffuka, and the commandant of the Hlinka Guard, M. Dafcik. Dr. Tuka, asserting that Slovak autonomy was not enough, and that the nation must attain full independence, said: 4 We must carry Slovak independence to its logical end. Freemasons and Jewish capitalists no longer rule the roost in Slovakia, but we must also demand that the conduct of foreign policy be placed in Slovak hands. We will not tolerate a treaty with the Soviet Union, and we will not allow Communist Masaryk brigades to be formed in our country; nor will we allow the principles of the Jewish League of Nations to govern this country’s policy. The familiar ring of German Nazism can be heard in the sentences ([noted, not to mention the high-flying idealism in a cause which has very little to commend it from a purely nationalistic standpoint. From the time that speech vyas made separatism gained ground. The dismissal of Dr. Tiso, a courageous move by the Prague Government, has halted it for the time being, but it would seem from German approval of the new Government that events are marching to the satisfaction of the Reich, and therefore in a direction contrary to Czechoslovakian interests.