760F.62/978: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

301. The Czechoslovak Minister in a conversation today characterized the Anglo-French proposals to the Praha Government as a virtual ultimatum; that it amounted in substance to a dismemberment of Czechoslovakia; that if events followed the course which they were pursuing at present he expected the Germans would move against Czechoslovakia within a day or two and that in that event his country would fight.

He professed to be unable to explain the apparent weakening in the attitude toward Germany of England and especially of France and was outspoken in his criticism of the vacillating policy of the French Government. The treatment of the Czechoslovak crisis he said constituted a danger to both France and England for the future and the effects of their policy was already resolved to itself in the preparations which both Poland and Hungary were making on behalf of their minority in Czechoslovakia although Poland, he believed, would be the next victim of Nazi aggression and need expect no greater protection on the part of France than Czechoslovakia might receive.

The Soviet Government, the Minister stated, had been entirely straightforward in the declaration of its attitude in the present crisis. It had declared that it would fulfill its treaty obligations and he was convinced that the aid which it might render in meeting those obligations would be immediate and efficacious. As to the means which the Soviets would employ in a conflict, the Minister alluded only to the use of Soviet aviation. The fact remained, however, that Soviet aid to Czechoslovakia was dependent upon assistance being rendered to that country by France, and the Minister said in strict confidence that it would be quite understandable if the Soviet Government would not be inclined to move if France did not. The matter of League formalities as provided for in the mutual assistance pact between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union offered no difficulties especially at the present moment while the League was in session but if owing to the Anglo-French attitude German action against Czechoslovakia [Page 634] was localized the Soviet Government would, in the Minister’s opinion, be fully justified in refraining from coming alone to the aid of Czechoslovakia in a form which might be characterized by the German Government as a Communist putsch and result in launching the Soviet Union on an undertaking which would repeat the experiences in Spain.

Kirk