CZECH ELECTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 141, 27 March 1948, Page 5

CZECH ELECTION

PEOPLE’S COURTS REVIVED

(N.Z.P. A.—Copyright). PRAGUE, March 25. The Czechoslovak Cabinet, decided that the general elections would be held on May 23. Parliament unanimously passed a law which revives the people’s courts. • The Minister of Justice (Mr Alexey Cepicka), said the courts would revise the cases of all the people who had escaped just retribution for collaboration with the Germans: The Minister, of Internal Trade (Mr Frantisek Krajcip) announced a programme for nationalising broadcasting, film production, cinemas, and printing works with more than 50 employees, book and gramophone record production. All will come under the control of the Ministry of Informa-, tion. Diplomats Resign The French Foreign Office announced that the Czech Vice-Consul in Paris, Dr. ' Metod-Svezil, has resigned. The Czech Vice-Consul in Munich, Mr Joseph P.ohunovsky, announced his resignation. The Czech Ambassador to France, Mr Noesk, announced his resignation in “protest against recent events in Czechoslovakia.” Dr. Tvo Dnchaceis, the former chairman of the Czech Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and a People’s Party member of Parliament; arrived in Paris after escaping from Czechoslovakia,

BENES’ FIRST PUBLIC ’SPEECH

(Rec. 11.15 a.m.) PRAGUE, March 26. According to the Czechoslovak News Agency, President Benes will make, on April 7, his first public speech since the Communists seized power. He will speak in the Charles University, at Prague, when the university celebrates its 600th anniversary.