Table Of Content

A PENGUIN SPECIAL s. GRANT DUFF PUBLISHER'S NOTE A complete list of all Penguin and Pelican Books willbefound at the end of this volume. If you are not already on our mailing list and would like to know when new books are added, please send in your name and address on a postcard. Suggestions for new additions are welcomed. EUROPE AND THE CZECHS by S. GRANT DUFF with nine maps by MARTHE RAJCHMAN PUBLISHED AS A 'PENGUIN SPECIAL' BY PENGUIN BOOKS LIMITED HARMONDSWORTH MIDDLESEX ENGLAND First published 1938 MADE AND PRJNTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR PENGUIN BOOKS L1MIT~D BY PURNELL AND SONS, LTD., PAULTON (SOMERSET) AND LONDON To NOEMI RIPKA AND HUBERT RIPKA The Greeks at Thermopylae, when the Persians came near thepass, being alarmed, consulted about a retreat. While they were deliberating on these matters, Xerxes sent a scout on horseback, to see how many they were, andwhatthey were doing. When the horseman rode up to the camp, he reconnoitred, and saw indeed not the whole camp,for it was not possible that they should be seen who were posted within the wall, which, having re built, they were now guarding: but he had a clear view ofallthoseon the outside whosearms werepiled infront ofthewall. At this time theLacedaemonianshappenedto be posted outside; and some of the men he saw per forming gymnastic exercises, and others combing their hair. On beholding this he was astonished, and ascer tained their number..and having informed himselfaccur ately,he rodeback at hisleisure,for no onepursuedhim, andhemet withgeneralcontempt. On his return hegave anaccount to Xerxes ofall he had seen. When Xerxes heardthis, he could not comprehend the truth, that the Grecians were preparing to be slain and to slay to the utmost oftheir power. But, as they appeared to behave in so ridiculous a manner, he sent for Demaratus, son ofAriston, who was then in the camp..and whenhe was comeinto his presence, Xerxes questionedhim as to each particular, wishingtounderstandwhat theLacedaemonians were doing. Demaratus said, 'These men have come to fight with us for the pass and are now preparing them selves tofight. For such is their custom, when they are going to hazard their lives, then they dress their heads. But beassured, ifyou conquer these men and those that remain in Sparta, there is no other nation in the world that willdare to raise their hands against you, 0 King! For you are now to engage with the noblest Kingdom and city of all amongst the Greeks and with the most valiantofmen.' HERODOTUS. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. WHY CZECHOSLOVAKIA? . 11 If. EARLY HISTORY OF THE CZECHS 23 III. BEFORE THE WAR 32 IV. WAR AND PEACE 46 V. GERMAN PLANS FOR CENTRAL EUROPE 62 VI. THE ALLIED SETTLEMENT . 78 VII. THE FRONTIERS OF CZECHOSLOVAICIA . 92 VIII. POLITICS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 98 IX. SUDIITEN GERMAN POLITICS 118 X. MARCH, 1938: INTERNATIONAL CZECH SITUATION 133 XI. MARCH, 1938: INTERNAL CZECH SITUATION 153 XII. MAY 21ST 172 XIII. THE POWERS AND THE CRISIS 183 XIV. BRITAIN AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA 187 xv. WILL THE CZECHS FIGHT FOR BRITAIN? 205 ix