760c.60f/14: Telegram
The Minister in Czechoslovakia (Crane) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21—7:25 a.m.]
151. My telegram number 141, June 5th.30 Feeling against abandonment of plebiscite in Teschen is shared by all Czech parties and numerous non-partisan mass meetings have been held in protest. Imposed arbitration is considered a moral violation of the treaty of Saint Germain. Both Czech and German press support this stand. Právo Lidu, official organ Social Democratic Party, after speaking of definite agreement between Poland and Hungary by which Magyars are to assist Poland in securing Teschen, Spis and Orava in return for Polish aid in return of Slovakia says: “How will those Entente powers who today fail to take a firm attitude in the conflict between two so-called allies later deal with a possible united Russian-Czech-German front on the one side and a Polish-Magyar on the other side,” and warns France that she must beware of underestimating the importance of Teschen. On the question of Poland-Magyar agreement the Government is convinced that at least an understanding exists. Evidence of this has been submitted to me. which I am having carefully examined, and if I believe it is authentic will transmit. Czechoslovakia agreed to a plebiscite with great reluctance and the feeling is expressed that the Allies are chargeable with bad faith and favoritism to Poland, first in not maintaining order in the plebiscite area by which recent Polish tactics for the defeat of the plebiscite were not interfered with and, second, in furthering the project for arbitration. Czernowitz [Czechs?] believe Poles are trying to avoid plebiscite as they have felt for some time they would lose owing chiefly to superior economic conditions of Czechoslovakia. France alleged proportionally [sic] supporting Poland as ally in compensation for loss of Russia. This question during the past ten days has overshadowed Cabinet crisis and President [Page 42] Masaryk’s negotiations with the German leaders which will be reported by despatch.
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