CZECH BITTERNESS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 37, 6 November 1937, Page 6

CZECH BITTERNESS

Europe's No. 1 Ignition Point Gives Lively Sparks STRONG WORDS TO NAZIS ' '' LONDON, Oct. 29. - Czechoslovakia, which apart from Spain, is 'Europe's No. 1 Ignition Point, has told- Germany curtly: "Mind your own business, or else-: — • Two outspoken declarations made in Prague are - the climax to the bitter German unti-Czech v Press campaign arising from " Czechoslovakia's treatment of' her German minority. (Germany rejectedr an official Ozech protest against this propaganda.) ' Dr, Derer, Czechoslovakiail Minister of Justice, , said : , "We are not seeking conflict with Germany, but we cann'ot tolerate "Germany 's mixing in ,our internal affairs." i ■ M* Beran, leader "of the Agrarian ■party, went furtlier. "We shall uever provolce :a-breach of the peace, but we are closely watching developments," he said.. "If anyone attacks our frontiers, lio ivill find We ar'e not only militarily extremely.' well prepared, but that the whole Reptihlic is one great fortress, peopled by- millions determined- to defend their country 'with all their strengtb." - • To avoid' aggravating the situation by a heated campaign, the Government has postponed indefinitely the municipal elections, whicli should have been held in 481 districts on November 14. It has also prohibited all politicai meetings until further notiee. The Gerinan reply. is to charge the Czech Government with being afraid to allow'Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudetem German party, to go* to ,the poll, owing'to that party 's tromendous inqrease in strength. Henlein ?s party, though it professes loyalty to tlie Constitution, is regarded by the Czechs as aimihg at working for the German Nazis. There ,are, however, 300 seats in the the country and Henlein has gained a remarkably _ large _ following among them. At the generaj elections of May 19, 1935, his" party won 44 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. This was only one fewer than ihe number carried by the most sticcessful eingle party (the Republicans). There are, however, 30 seats in the Qhamber of ■ Deputies.