Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1938. “THUS FAR BUT NO FURTHER.”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1938, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1938. “THUS FAR BUT NO FURTHER.”

yyiTH the news that proposals outlined by Herr Hitler in his memorandum to Czechoslovakia have been rejected by the Government of that country, and accompanying indications that the Czechs are supported in that attitude by Britain and France, the European situation has undergone a sudden, dramatic and possibly decisive change.

It was reported yesterday that the Czechoslovak newspapers gave the impression that their country was now fully convinced that war must be faced. The tone of the editorials, it was added, , was one of firm decision and resignation to the facts. On the evidence in sight—evidence to which- important additions have been made with the publication, not only of Herr Hitler’s proposals, but of the details of the Anglo-French plan’ which the Czechs had accepted most reluctantly—any just observer must agree that Czechoslovakia is fully justified in preferring any other course to that of making further eopcessions to Nazi Germany.

Amply adequate and even compelling reasons for rejecting the proposals set forth in the Hitler memorandum are written broadly across the face of that document itself. Ostensibly it is based on the measure of agreement reached in the acceptance of the Anglo-French plan. . Actually it proposes to find in that acceptance a pretext for imposing on the Czechs terms which could only be imposed by a conqueror on an enemy hopelessly beaten and reduced to helplessness.

It is demanded, for instance, that the Sudetenland areas proposed to be ceded should be handed over to Germany with everything that they contain in the way of material plant and equipment. Ordinary justice no doubt demands some division and adjustment of the property rights involved. In any case, the Germans, according to the Czechs, are demanding the unconditional cession of places in which not more than fifty per cent of the inhabitants are German and which would cut across Czechoslovakia’s main railway communications. .■l—- — broad position indicated is that the sacrifices to which the Czechs voluntarily agreed—sacrifices the magnitude of .which has been acknowledged by France and Britain—have served only to encourage Nazi Germany to make still more exorbitant demands. If the Czechs reject these demands and are supported in that stand by France and Britain, a crucial issue will at once be raised.. Hitler in that event must modify his demands or cast the die for • European war.

Other important developments in the situation were reported yesterday, notably the formal reaffirmation by Rumania and Yugoslavia of the validity of the Little Entente Pact. This means much more than that Czechoslovakia is assured of the support of Rumania and Yugoslavia as allies in the event of her being attacked by Germany. It is vastly more important that if Rumania becomes the ally of Czechoslovakia, Russia will be enabled to give to the,Czechs the military assistance the Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs (M. Litvinoff) lately declared she was ready and willing to give.

Russia is pledged to join France in assisting Czechoslovakia against an aggressor. In the circumstances that are now developing it seems almost certain that a German attack on Czechoslovakia would make intervention by France and Russia, and perhaps also by Britain, inevitable. With Rumania standing neutral, Russia would have no means of access to Czechoslovakia by land. She cannot hope for access through Poland, which is making common cause with Germany. With Rumania allied to Czechoslovakia, however, the problem of access no doubt is solved out of hand.

The hope is said to be entertained in Paris that Mr Chamberlain, backed by the British and French Cabinets, has said to Herr Hitler: “Thus far but no further,” and that Herr Hitler is showing signs of an inclination to retreat. Today’s news suggests rather that he is intent on a course that would plunge all Europe into war.