PEACE ENDANGERED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1939, Page 6

PEACE ENDANGERED

SOVIET DENUNCIATION

OF GERMANY “JUSTIFICATION’’ REJECTED. ACTION OF CZECH PRESIDENT INVALID. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, March 19. “In the opinion of the Soviet Government, Germany’s action not only fails to remove the threat to general peace, but strengthens such a danger,” declares a letter from M Litvinoff, Soviet Foreign Minister, handed to the German Ambassador. “It is disturb? ing to the political stability of Central Europe and increases the elements for war previously existing, striking a new blow at the security of peoples.” After rejecting Germany’s “justification” for her annexation, the letter declares that the reasons given' for the invasion do not accord with •; facts known to the whole world.” It is difficult to believe,” the letter continues, “that any people will agree to the destruction of their independence and inclusion within another State, especially a people who for hundreds of years have struggled for independence, and for twenty years have preserved their independence. The Czech President, in signing the declaration on March 15, had no authorisation whatsoever from his people. He acted in flagrant contradiction of the Czech constitution and the will of the people. The principle of self-determination of peoples, tc which Germany often refers, is presupposed to be a free expression of the vzill of a people, which cannot be substituted by the will of one or another persons, no matter how highly placed. “In the absence of any expression of will by the Czechs, the occupation by German troops and subsequent action by the German Government cannot but be recognised to be as violent as It is aggressive.

“The proposed amendment to the Slovak statute also is not justified by the people’s approbation. Germany’s action resulted in a rude invasion of Ruthenia by Hungary and a violation of the elementary rights of the population.”

A spokesman says that M Litvinoff’s letter indicates clearly enough what would be Russia’s, attitude in the event of similar aggression against Hungary or Rumania, but no promises are given to either. .