760F.62/1436
The Czechoslovak Minister (Hurban) to the Secretary of State5
The Czechoslovak Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency, the Honorable Secretary of State, and upon instructions from his Government has the honor to convey the following communication.
[Page 701]“Prior to the Munich conference of the four powers, the Czechoslovak Government agreed to further concessions. Czechoslovakia agreed to cede to Germany the territory inhabited by more than 50% German population and Czechoslovakia demanded for itself only such borderline as would enable the new Czechoslovak State to exist and defend itself. It cannot, however, in addition agree to a plebiscite in the regions with a Czech majority or populated entirely by Czechs as Hitler demanded for purely military reasons.
The Czechoslovak Government agrees to observe the period indicated for a final settlement; all aspects are to be settled by December 15, but a solution is possible even by October 31st. It agrees to the control of an international commission of the British legion and the gradual occupation by British troops before cession to Germany. It abides by the decision demanding demobilization, the recall of troops, the revision of its treaty system, but in the interests of its own defense and the protection of the Czech and German democratic population and the Jews in the territory that is ceded, it cannot evacuate, demobilize, or abandon fortifications before the borderline is determined, and there is guaranteed the exchange of populations and the assurance of a new system of international guarantees. It wishes, however, to expedite the negotiations, and under no circumstances does it wish to delay the final solution to which it resolved, upon the emphatic advice of England and France and the many telegraphic appeals of chiefs of States headed by Mr. Roosevelt. Elevating the interests of the civilized world and peace and harmony above the tragic feelings of its own people, it has decided to make this sacrifice which, never before in history was required under such concentrated pressure of an undefeated State without war. It has, therefore, the right to demand that the opposing side likewise show the same understanding for peace and harmony in Europe and the world. If, even at this advanced stage of the negotiations insurmountable difficulties should arise, the Czechoslovak Government suggests that the entire dispute be settled by an international conference or be submitted to Mr. Roosevelt for arbitration to which Czechoslovakia pledges its adherence in advance.”
- Marginal notation: “The Sec’y in his Press Conf. Sept. 30 said that events had so changed that a reply was no longer necessary.”↩