DR. BENES APPEALS TO WORLD CONSCIENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1939, Page 8

DR. BENES APPEALS TO WORLD CONSCIENCE

Promises Made at Munich Recalled TELEGRAMS TO AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN RULERS

By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright. Received This Day, 11.45 a.m. ■ CHICAGO, March 17Dr. Benes (former President of Czechoslovakia) hafe sent the following telegram to President Hoospvelt, Mp Chqipberlain, M. Daladier and M. Litvinov: — “The Czechoslovak people are the viptims of q great international crime. They cannot protest, and because of the happenings of the last month, cannot defend themselves. Therefore J, as their former President, address this solemn protesf to you. Last September, French and British proposals, and later the Munich decision, were presented to me. Both documents contained the prqmjse of a guarantee of the integrity and security of Czechoslovak territory. Both asked for unhpard-of sacrifices in the interests of European peace. These sacrifices were macfe. Nevertheless one of the Powers which signed the Munich agreement is now dividing our territory and establishing a ‘protectorate’ under threat of force. “Before the conscience of the world and before history I am obliged to proclaim that the Czechs and Slovaks Will never accept this unbearable imposition ofj fheir sacred rights, and will never cease to struggle until these rights are reinstated. I entreat your Government to refuse to recognise this crime and to assume the consequences which today’s tragic situation in Europe and the world urgently requires,"