Prague, Sept. 11 All Europe is anxiously awaiting developments in Prague, as it is generally felt that the next 48 hours will decide whether the negotiations between the Czech Government and the Sudeten Germans are to proceed in peace, or whether Germany will take the question into her own hands and try to impose an arbitrary settlement on Czechoslovakia. In the latter event it would mean war.
It is pointed out that Germany cannot use the pretext that the proposals of the Czech Government are inadequate. They have been accepted by the Sudeten leaders as a basis for negotiations, and they fulfil, in principle, the eight points outlined by Herr Konrad Henlein, the Sudeten leader, in his speech at Karlsbad.
The possibility of some serious incident between Sudeten Germans and Czechs cannot be overlooked.
Ever since the Sudeten leaders withdrew the orders to their followers not to offend by provocative acts, a complete change is said to have overcome the Sudetens, who are alleged to be almost going out of their way nowadays to be offensive and provocative. Every day incidents occur on a bigger scale and in an over-widening field.
The latest, according to unconfirmed reports from a German source, occurred yesterday at Karlsbad, where following a dispute with a Sudeten German Social Democratic, a Henleinist (Nazi) was arrested. A crowd, estimated at about 12000, is alleged io have demonstrated before the prison. The German report adds that the police used firearms, and that two people were wounded.
Although the Germans have not made any big concentrations of troops in the immediate neighbourhood of the Czech frontier, their manceuvres have resulted in a certain amount of military activity, especially on the north-east Moravian frontier The Czech general staff has kept its own counsel regarding what precautions it has deemed advisable. Meanwhile, there is no sign of alarm, much less panic in Prague.—Reuter.
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