BENES IN 1938 SIR,—Mr. Harold Nicolson's Marginal Comment is invariably
interesting and stimulating, and not the least so his article on Eduard Benes. I cannot, however, help regretting that he did not refer to the reason why Czechoslovakia did not fight at the time of Munich. Benes himself told me that the heads of the Czech Army had come to him and said that whether France or England came to their aid or not, they were prepared to fight Germany, but they could not fight both Germany and Poland together, for at that time there were five Polish divisions strung out along the Carpathian Frontier. Benes said he at once got on to Beck, informed him of the position, and asked him for an assurance of neutrality. Not obtaining this assurance, the Czechs considered that their position was hopeless.
I have the highest admiration for the magnificent way in which the Poles, when it came to their turn, fought Germany. But, in fairness to the Czechs, the folly of the Polish foreign policy at the time of Munich
ought to be known.—Yours faithfully, GEORGE R. CROSFIELD.
• 33 Albert Court, Kensington Gore, S.W .7.
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