SLOVAK CLAIM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1939, Page 7

SLOVAK CLAIM

STATE NOT A GERMAN PROTECTORATE ONLY FRONTIER GUARANTEE SOUGHT. MEANING OF TELEGRAMS. (Independent Cable Service.) BRATISLAVA, March 17. ' The Propaganda Chief in the Slovakian Government, M. Mach, stated today that the first announcement concerning the text of the telegrams exchanged between Herr Hitler and M. Tiso, Premier of Slovakia, contained an unfortunate misunderstanding. While one version stated that Slovakia asked for German protection, another spoke about a protectorate. There was no question of Dr Tiso’s asking Herr Hitler to turn Slovakia into a German protectorate. He had merely asked the Fuehrer to protect the new State’s frontiers. This message is in denial of a previous cablegram received yesterday which read: It is stated officially in Berlin that Herr Hitler has taken Slovakia under his protection. Dr. Tiso, President of Slovakia, sent the following telegram to Herr Hitler on March 15: — “In full confidence in you, the Slovak States places itself under your protection.” Herr Hitler replied: “I herewith take over the protection of the Slovak State.” MEMEL NEXT ULTIMATUM DEMANDING INDEPENDENCE. UNIFORMED NAZIS CROWD STREETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright KAUNAS, March 17. It is reported that Dr. Neumann, leader of the Memel Germans, has sent a Note to Lithuania in the form of an ultimatum demanding the independence of Memel. The Diet, which has been summoned to meet on March 25, is expected to pass a blanket law conferring plenary powers on Dr Neumann. The streets are crowded with uniformed Nazis and swastikas appear everywhere.

CZECH LEGATION. POSITION IN WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, March 16. The Czech Minister in Washington has refused to turn over the legatioh and consulates to Germany till-he gets written instructions from President Hacha. The Department of Commerce has advised shippers of American goods to Czechoslovakia to hold up the goods or have them detained in European ports on the ground that Germany will probably not pay foreign exchange for them. i BRITISH MINISTER. ■ TRANSFERRED FROM PRAGUE TO BAGDAD. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 16. The King has approved the appointment of Sir Basil Newton, British Minister in Prague, to be Ambassador in Bagdad. ALARM & MISGIVING FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER ON EVENTS IN EUROPE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright CANBERRA, March 17. Profound disappointment and alarm at events in Europe in the last few days were expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, today. “We look to the future with deep misgiving,” he said. Hopes had been felt in the last few months that perhaps the way was opening for a renewed effort to regulate the relations of the Powers by methods of consultation and conciliation have received another setback. “But we need not regard what has happened as yet irreparable in its effects.” added Mr Lyons. “Behind the acts of the Governments in Europe today lies the earnest desire of the mass of the people of every country for peace, and it is on this foundation that the endeavours of all who are working to avoid the catastrophe of war will continue.”

BRITISH VIEWS MADE KNOWN IN BERLIN. COMMENT BY LONDON “TIMES.” LONDON, March 17. The “Daily Telegraph” says that the British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson, twice visited the German Foreign Office yesterday, on the first occasion to inquire Germany's intentions. ’ which events outdated. Therefore, on the second visit, under orders from Whitehall, he presented a Note of the British views in terms more downright than those used by Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons.

‘‘The one solitary gain from this miserable business has been that the methods of Nazism are now more clearly than ever before revealed in all their cunning and ruthlessness.” says ‘The Times” in an editorial today. ‘‘Agents within the State marked down for subjugation are secured from among the German minorities found in every European country and are used to exacerbate local grievances, stir up trouble for the Government and above all to make careful note among public men of those deemed to be favourable or unfavourable to the German cause. How repugnant to the public opinion of all countries is this latest example of Nazi contempt for the decencies of international intercourse is clearly shown by even a cursory glance at the world's Press.”

The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” states that there is evidence from several sources not only that Herr Hitler’s decree and scheme of mass arrests in Czechoslovakia had been long prepared, but that the dates of the invasion were arranged three weeks aoo.

Actually it began two days early because of Dr Hacha’s attempt to forestall Ihe Slovak coun. Some of Herr Hitler’s assurances were given while fhe plans for the invasion were being completed. The correspondent, adds that Britain is considering further means of showing her displeasure and distrust of Germany.