A STRIKING PROOF

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 6

A STRIKING PROOF

The successes of the Sudenten Germans in the local body elections in Czechoslovakia afford striking evidence that, at least in the matter of local government, the minorities in the Republic have suffered no limitation of their rights and privileges. They have obtained a majority on the controlling bodies in 45 towns, and have won some seats in Prague itself. Whatever versions may be told the people in the Reich about the treatment meted out to the Germans in Czechoslovakia it will not be possible to assert that they are denied a voice in the control of local affairs, and they already form the second largest party in the Parliament of the land. Governments that have adopted a policy of suppression with regard to minorities do not, as a rule, allow them to assume control even of the smallest local body, and residents of Germany could not claim the same degree of freedom themselves. There administrative and other posts are filled by Nazi appointments, and the people of. say, Bavaria, do not enjoy the privileges in this respect that the Sudenten Germans in Czechoslovakia can still exercise.

In order to avoid the possibility of disturbances the local elections in the country were spread over a period of three weeks, and if they pass without any untoward incident then the danger of an immediate crisis will have been removed. It is clear that both Great Britain and France have used their influence to ensure peace, and the British policy has been the subject of favourable comment in Germany. There have been some very definite assurances given to the Government at Prague, and they would appear to indicate a clearly defined understanding, as yet not disclosed. It will be more difficult after this proof of the complete freedom of the Sudenten Germans to control local affairs, where they have a majority, and to secure a voice where the'- form a minority, to convince the nations that they are being oppressed bv a Czech Administration. They have the full status of citizens within the Republic and this makes it more evident that their disturbances are directed to some end other than their civil rights. The inference to be drawn is that their challenge to the constituted authority is the result of Nazi intrigue, and that the real threat to the safety of Czechoslovakia is not so much the treatment of minorities as the spirit of aggression found across the frontier.