Czechoslovakia's Reforms After the great Sokol festival, which became a
demonstra- tion of the national unity and immense vitality of the Czecho- slovaks, the Prague Government has returned to work on the drafts of the reforms to be introduced. If any proof were needed of the truly democratic nature of the political system in Czechoslovakia, it could be found in the long series of negotiations and discussions between the Cabinet and the political parties by which it is hoped to achieve agreement. Unfortunately, this very process is taken in Berlin to be a means of causing delay and evidence of duplicity in Prague. Yet the measures to be introduced involve so large a degree of reconstruction that time for the most careful considera, tion of their effects is indispensable. The reforms include the Nationalities Statute, amendment of the Languages Act, a Bill for Administrative Reform, giving executive powers to the provincial diets which are to be established, and possibly the grant of autonomy to Carpathian Ruthenia. If these measures are carried through successfully, Czecho- slovakia will have given Europe a great example of funda- mental political reforms carried through by democratic means. Yet the dangers involved cannot be overlooked. The Sudeten Germans are not likely to be satisfied, and will have strong support from Germany. A significant sentence in a Times message on the attitude of Berlin says : " The Reich, it is felt, has always in reserve the weapon of economic pressure which, if applied, would at least hasten the action of disruptive forces already at work within Czechoslovakia."
* * * *
Previous page
