NAZIS’ IRON RULE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 36, 22 November 1939, Page 5

NAZIS’ IRON RULE

. “TORMENTED PEOPLE.” OPPRESSION TO THE CZECHS. LONDON PRESS COMMENT. (United Press Association —Copyright.. LONDON. November 20.

Reports of the week-end terrorism in Czechoslovakia arc the subject of much comment in the press. “The Times” states that,' although Prague has become a forbidden city to the outside world, “it is certain that the Czech people, bitterly resenting the tyranny which they suffer under the police rule of the Nazis, have once more allowed their feelings to get the bettor of prudence and openly shown repugnance to the oppressors.” “The Times” adds: “It is clear that the tormented Czech people still place love of liberty before all other sentiments, and are suffering ferocious punishment at the of their German masters.”

Placing responsibility on the shoulders of the brutal local administration, “The Times” suggests that the present situation is further proof of the Germans’ incapacity for ruling alien races. Of the German official explanation that the disorders were caused by “a group of intellectuals,” acting under foreign inspiration, “The Times” states that the Czechs’ national spirit lias doubtless drawn sustenance from the knowledge of the French and British war aims, from the existence of the fighting Czech - Legion, and, in Paris, the formation of the National Czech Committee, but the main reason is tlic evidence before tlieir own eyes of the results of Nazi rule.

“A militarised regime that does not understand liberty, is in fact, trying to crush a people to whom life -without liberty has - become not worth living. The Czechs stand now, as they have stood before in history, for national and moral values against a race of bullies who tried to expel spiritual life even from their own national system. They stand and they suffer for freedom of combination and for the right of a small country to live in security and independence. These are the liberties which Britain and France and all nations .of the . British Commonwealth are determined to see reestablished in Europe, and which lend to their campaign the character of a crusade.”

The “EViily Telegraph” views the Czech situation in the pattern of Nazi promises and performances, and states that it is the fear of an enchained people which has driven Hitler “to now convulsions of fury.”

V Reviewing the German poll during the war, the editorial states: “Every week of the war has seen Germany going through the motions of frightfulneSs in different directions.” If the threats were facts, Europe would now be at Germany’s feet. Although the oftthreatened mass attack has not. yet happened, Britain stands. prepared to meet Herr von Ribbentfop’s ( “truly horrible war.” -

The “Daily, Herald,” hailing the Czechs as allies, states: “All other peoples as they look on will he strengthened even further iii their determination not to allow the monstrous apparatus of terror now tormenting Central Europe to survive a day longer than it must.”—-British Official Wireless. BLACK GUARDS DROWNED.

THIRTY BODIES RECOVERED. (Received This Ua-y, 12.25 p.m.) PARIS, November 21. A wireless message from Prague reports that the bodies of over 30 Black Guards have been fished out- of the river Moldau since September 30.