NEWS OF THE WEEK T HE first indirect effect of the
annexation of Czecho- Slovakia is a final demonstration of the impossibility of conducting any normal negotiations in the future with a Germany dominated by Herr Hitler. All negotiations are based on some principles, and Herr Hitler acknowledges none but the hegemony of his country. In the interests of that he will lie, deceive, threaten and rape. The outstand- ing fact about the invasion of Czecho-Slovakia is the report, apparently authentic, that the President, M. Hacha, whom Herr Hitler had summoned to his presence, as he summoned Dr. Schuschnigg a year ago, was told that unless he sub- mitted to the invasion, and indeed actually invited it, Prague would be blown into the air. That is the situation that exists. It reveals in its true light the sincerity of the pretension that what concerned Herr Hitler six months ago was the griev- ances of the Sudetendeutsch. They served their turn as excuse for the seizure of the great line of the frontier fortresses of Czecho-Slovakia. Now no excuse is needed. Covetousness and ambition can be displayed in all their nakedness, with- out even an affectation of draping them decently. The final fate of what was Czecho-Slovakia is not yet clear. Hungary, as a vassal of Germany, may be allowed to have Ruthenia, and her common frontier with Poland. Slovakia, utterly in- capable of standing by itself, may be permitted the fiction of independence. Moravia and Bohemia certainly will not. They are temporarily under military administration, and the administration may find the Czechs are of different fibre from the Austrians.
