Agendum 491 18 November 1940

RECOGNITION OF CZECHOSLOVAK NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND OF PROVISIONAL
CZECHOSLOVAK GOVERNMENT

On 20th December, 1939, letters were exchanged between Lord
Halifax [1] and Dr. Benes [2] on the subject of the formation of a
Czechoslovak National Committee. [3] In his letter Lord Halifax
recognised 'that the Committee is qualified to represent the
Czechoslovak peoples,' in particular for the purpose of the
reconstruction of the Czechoslovak Army in France.

2. On 10th May of this year, the Commonwealth Prime Minister [4]
informed the United Kingdom Government that the Commonwealth
Government was quite prepared to recognise the Czechoslovak
National Committee strictly for the same purposes in Commonwealth
territory as those laid down in respect of the United Kingdom in
the letters exchanged between Lord Halifax and Dr. Benes, namely,
that the Committee was qualified to represent the Czechoslovak
peoples, in particular for the purpose of reconstruction of the
Czechoslovak Army in France. [5]

3. On 21st July, the United Kingdom Government acceded to a
request from Dr. Benes for recognition of a new provisional
Czechoslovak Government in which several new members joined the
previous members of the Czechoslovak National Committee. [6] The
United Kingdom Government had hitherto considered that it would be
undesirable to accord any further recognition to Czechoslovak
activities abroad for the following reasons:-

(1) The recognition would have met with opposition on the part of
France and Hungary, and possibly the Polish Government;

(2) Dr. Benes had not so far been able to secure unity among
Czechs and Slovaks abroad, and his influence in the Protectorate
and in Slovakia was uncertain;

(3) There was little doubt that the sympathies of the Czechoslovak
people lay with the Allies and no further degree of recognition
seemed necessary to encourage them to resist the Germans.

It was realised, however, that French and Hungarian
susceptibilities need no longer be considered, and that the Polish
Government had been brought closer to the Czechs by common
adversity; that German successes would perhaps have influenced the
Czechoslovak population to such an extent that some further
gesture might be necessary to encourage their resistance and that
the placing of the Czechs and Slovaks on the same footing as the
Poles and Norwegians would probably have a good effect on opinion
in the United States of America. There were also practical
problems arising out of the evacuation from France to the United
Kingdom of Czechoslovak soldiers and airmen.

The United Kingdom Government accordingly decided to recognise the
provisional Czechoslovak Government, subject to certain
conditions, including-
(a) a refusal to commit the United Kingdom Government to any
specific frontier for the future Czechoslovak State;

(b) the relinquishment by Dr. Benes of any claim to exercise
authority over Czechoslovaks or their property in this country;

(c) a satisfactory arrangement concerning the 7,000,000 of Czech
gold blocked in the United Kingdom.

4. A cablegram was received from the High Commissioner, London,
dated 26th September [7], stating that the Minister for Foreign
Affairs in the Provisional Government [8] had asked that the
Commonwealth Government should adopt towards his Government an
attitude similar to that of the United Kingdom Government. Mr.

Bruce suggests that if the Commonwealth Government agrees to grant
similar recognition, he be authorised to reply making the same
reservations as made by Lord Halifax.

5. The Commonwealth Government has never recognised the German
absorption of Bohemia-Moravia, and continues to recognise Dr.

Solansky as the Consul for Czechoslovakia. There seems no
objection in principle to the granting of the request, subject to
the reservations mentioned, and it is recommended that Mr. Bruce
be informed accordingly. [9]

F. STEWART