London, Mur. 5.
wish to make clear beyond all doubt that our treatment of minorities and the relationship between the Government and German parties here, constitute an internal issue which can never be subject to direct. official negotiations or discussions with foreign powers. To admit the contrary would be to admit the right of a foreign nation to interfere in the Internal affairs of this country, which we can never allow."
This statement was made to-day by Dr. Edouard Benes, President of Czechoslovakia, in an interview with a correspondent. of the "Sunday Times."
'The' President stressed that the adoption of a different attitude would not be a contribution to peace, as it would justify similar inerventions elsewhere. Dr, Benes then specified the position' of the Czechoslovakian Government towards minorities:
1.—Loyalty to the minority treaties goneluded under the auspices of the League of Nations.
2—Recognition of Europe's moral right to show Interest in, the treatment of minorities.
3—Desire to give the Interested countries, particularly France and Great Britain, such information as they think useful on the subject.
4—Desire to contribute to any general settlement between European powers.
The President expressed the hops that the forthcoming negotiations between Great Britainand aly would end in success "We shall, of course, never abandon the western powers with whom we fave linked by a common desire to maintain peace in Europe," he said, Treatment of Minorlt Dealing with the question of minorities, the President stated that in Czechoslovakia there s one school for every 862 German speaking citizens while in Prussia itself, there is one School for every 1,112 inhabitants, thus revealing that the German minorities in Czechoslovakia are being. favourably treated from the educa tional. viewpoint, In conclusion, the President. declared himself against any. federal solution, "A federal solution is impossible for us," he said, "We don't dis criminate between German and Czechoslovakian parties. We simply apply the procedure of a parliament tary regime."—Havas,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.