SLOVAK DEMANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1938, Page 7

SLOVAK DEMANDS

REJOINDER BY DR. HODZA

AUTONOMY MOVEMENT " ’ DENOUNCED ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE WORLD (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) PRA9GUE, June 6. The Prime Minister, Dr Hodza, addressing a large assembly from the same balcony whence Father Hlinka spoke yesterday declared that Father Hlinka and other leaders were trying to deceive the world by demanding autonomy, but they were in a minority. He continued: “You, who represent the majority of the Slovaks, must ask yourselves whether we are capable of maintaining our independence. There were shouts of “Yes!” Dr Hodza added: “When necessary, we will show the world that we are worthy of independence. We can do it. Our heroic stand has been recognised by England, France and America. The Prague correspondent of “The Times” cabled on Sunday last that 100,000 members of the Slovak Catholic Peoples’ Party demonstrated at Bratislava in support of their demand for autonomy, which Father Hlinka, leader of the party, declares must be secured, even at the cost of joining Germany or Poland, and also that it must be in accordance with the Pittsburg agreement reached between the Czechs, and the Slovaks, before the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The principles of the agreement are generally accepted, but other Slovaks, including the Premier, Dr Hozda, and Dr Derer, Minister of Justice, disagree with Father Hlinka’s views. The Slovak Catholic People’s Party is promoting an autonomy Bill aiming at the establishment of a Slovak Diet and Law Courts and complete control of all Slovak matters. HITLER AND HENLEIN A REPORTED MEETING (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) BERLIN, June 6. It is understood that Herr Henlein met Herr Hitler yesterday.