Reference in Herr Hitler's recent speech in the Reichstag to the 10,000,- 000 Germans living beyond, the German frontiers formed the subject of address to-day by Dr. Milan Hodza, the Premier of Czechoslovakia, to both the Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament, Dr. Hodza said that if Herr Hitler implied that the 3,000,000 Germans in Czechoslovakia could be protected by the Reich, it would constitute an unwarrantable interference in Czechoslovakian affairs, Czechoslovakia, he continued, was ready to talk of ce-operation, but only on a basis of equality.
"This Republic," (he Premier declared, "will defend every attribute of its sovereignty unhesitatingly and at the maximum sacrifice. We have not been afraid for 1,000 years and we are not afraid to-day."
Dr, Hodza said that all the racial components "of the State of Czechoslovakia were being given satisfaction in their social and economic requirements as well as the most human civic liberties.
The reaction to Herr Hitler's speech in the Reichstag on February 20, in which he announced Germany's intention to recognize Manchoukuo, was generally favourable abroad, but in Czechoslovakia it was immediately noted with anxiety that the Fuehrer had described himself as protector-in-chief of all Germans within and without Germany.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.