Demands by Konrad Henlein, “Fuehrer” of Czechoslovakia’s Sudeten Germans, for an autonomous Sudeten regime within the Czechoslovak state and revision of Praha’s foreign policy had repercussions throughout Europe last night.
Henlein’s statement of Sudeten policy Sunday, which coincided with a violent anti-Czechoslovak meeting of Hungarian Revisionists, threw into the European spotlight once more the whole question of German minorities in other countries, since Henlein was backed fully by the Government-inspired Reich press.
Praha–Political sources said Henlein’s demands were “unreasonable” and could not be met in full by the Czechoslovak Government. The demands were held to have created a new situation in relations between Praha and Berlin.
London–The British Government summoned to London Basil C. Newton, Minister at Praha, to report on the new situation before the Anglo-French talks begin here Wednesday. Diplomatic circles felt Britain would not advise Praha to meet all Henlein’s demands but would suggest going as far as possible to reach a compromise.
Berlin–Henlein’s speech unleashed a general German press campaign against Czechoslovakia, with headlines shrieking, “Last Warning to Praha Government!” and “The Time of Compromise Has Passed!” Theme of press comment, recalling newspaper attacks on Austria before Anschluss, was that the Czechoslovak constitution was a danger to peace in central Europe. Official sources backed Henlein fully.
Paris–France, hostile to the Henlein program, felt his terms were impossible of acceptance. Henlein’s scheme goes beyond conception of federal state and would only make for Czechoslovakia’s decomposition, political observers held. It was planned to discuss a joint stand with Britain in the London talks this week.
Copenhagen–Danish authorities prepared to prosecute nine of 240 Nazis who were target for police intervention when they were caught staging military exercises at Nordre Birk, near Copenhagen, on Sunday.
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