Friday, 5 May
(...)
All this news is reaching us as if we are in a prison. Our newspapers report that England has essentially recognised the Slovak State. And yesterday, the English radio (French broadcast) spoke of the success of the National Partnership (Nationale Gemeinschaft) party: “…dans les bourgs et dans les villages la population joyeuse se groupait…” To our ears, this sounds like a story from a mythical fairyland. In truth, the mere thought of what these towns and villages will have to face fills us with dread. In a mere decade, places like Budweis, Pilsen, and many others could be fully Germanized. Within ten years, these “villages and towns” might be brought to absolute poverty – morally for certain, and perhaps materially as well.
Some time ago, we considered the Völkischer Beobachter a paper that a decent person would not touch; now every one of us reads a newspaper like that every day.
The Germans assure us (with threats) of their friendship. Recently, “infernal devices” were discovered in Prague. In response to Hácha’s intervention, he was reportedly asked: “What do you have the police for?!” As if Mr. Frank hadn’t been in charge of this police force! Rumors suggest that during the First Republic, under Minister Černý, there were covert agents among the officials of the Czechoslovak secret police. These agents, apparently tolerated by top authorities, shed their incognito on 1st March 1939: the Gestapo.
The Germans will pressure us to strangle ourselves with our own hands. Such are their cunning tactics.
Today they are still handing out foreign currencies to us, in the hope that with our help they can somehow revive exports. But what about tomorrow, or a month from now? A year from now? Such a time frame seems unbearable in our desperation.
Today at quarter to twelve, Beck will deliver his speech.