TWO SUDETEN GERMANS SHOT DEAD BY CZECH POLICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1938, Page 7

TWO SUDETEN GERMANS SHOT DEAD BY CZECH POLICE

Unbearable Provocation Alleged in Berlin attitude of the french government By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright. A grave situation has developed in Czechoslovakia. “There has been no more critical time since the Great War,” the president, Dr Benes, has stated. . Two Sudeten Germans were shot dead by Czech police m the irontier town of Cheb on Saturday morning. They had refused to stop when ordered. At Chomotau 300 Sudeten Germans are said to have provoked a clash with Czech troops. Several were injured A section of the army reserve has been recalled to the colouis. Sudeten Germans contend that this is tantamount to mobilisation, but the Government states that it is merely to maintain order internally. The Henlein Party declares that it will not negotiate, with the Czech Government on the minorities statute until terrorism, which it claims has been organised against it, ceases. . x The German Government is sharply protesting against the Cheb shooting. Berlin newspapers, which have been instructed to intensify the campaign against Czechoslovakia, print frenzied outbursts, referring to “unbearable provocation.” Opinion in .Germany is widespread that the time is favourable to force an immediate settlement. In Britain the situation is regarded as serious. Lord Halifax has returned to the Foreign Office and is in close touch with ,the Premier, whose pronouncement on March 24, that Britain might be involved if an upheaval occured in Central Europe, is recalled.