ASSURANCES TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1938, Page 7

ASSURANCES TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA

France and Russia Promise Support Against Attack ELECTION GAINS BY SUDETEN GERMANS By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, May 23. France and Russia have assured the Czechoslovak Government that they will fulfil their treaty obligations if Czechoslovakia is attacked, says the “News Chronicle’s” Prague correspondent. The Russian assurances are especially definite. Meanwhile 50,000 Czechoslovakians are occupying the frontier zones and the vital mountain passes, Czechoslovia’s Maginot line. Other field works are being strengthened, and tanks, heavy artillery and mechanised troops moved to the frontier. Well-founded reports state that the Germans are withdrawing from their advanced position, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Prague correspondent. Cabinet was in session all day. Dr Hodza received members of the Sudeten Party and discussed the minorities statute. The Sudetens had a greatly-increased poll at Aussig, where the first election result was announced, increasing their seats in the municipality from 11 to 18. .... A News Agency message alleges that 10 Czechoslovakian soldiers on Saturday attempted to blow up a wooden bridge at Berhartsthal on the German side of the frontier, but were surprised by the German frontier guards and fled, leaving the charges unexploded. GERMAN POLICY. CZECH PREMIER’S CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE. WAY OUT FOR HERR HITLER. LONDON, May 23. The principal new factor which Herr Hitler discussed with the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, and the army commanders was-the reported conciliatory attitude of Dr Hodza, who agreed that the Sudetens should make themselves responsible for public order in the districts where they were in a majority, which is regarded as a step toward autonomy and should enable Herr Hitler to modify his attitude, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent.