POSSESSION OF SLOVAKIA TAKEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 195, 19 August 1939, Page 9

POSSESSION OF SLOVAKIA TAKEN.

[ GERMANY'S MOVE. Military Protectorate Pact Signed. ARMY OF 330,000 STRONG. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 18. It is revealed from Bratislava, the capital, that Slovakia and Germany signed a military treaty yesterday. I nder the pact Germany assumes military protection of Slovakia. Further details have not been announced. The Bratislava representative of the British Associated Press says the radio station announced that "owing to the existing situation, Germany has taken military possession of Slovakia." The announcement of the taking over of Slovakia was unexplainedly made in ■ Lnglish, which few Slovakians understand. It is reliably learned that the defence agreement places the Slovak . Army of 30.000 with 300,000 reservists under the German command. "The Times" says that Germany's establishment of the military protectorate in Slovakia has not surprised London. It enables (iermany to put further pressure on Hungary, while it strengthens and deepens the Reich's south-eastern flank in the event of war against Poland. The greatest importance attaching to the new treaty will be the position of Slovakia along the Polish frontier. With Germany in control in Bohemia and Moravia, and extending her influence , to a military protectorate in Slovakia, the whole of the former Czechoslovak | Republic, with the exception of Ruthenia, is now in German hands. Much military activity on the SlovakPolish frontier has been reported of late and the new move leaves Poland open to German attack on her north, west, and south frontiers, a short stretch bordered by Rumania, her northern boundary bounded by Lithuania, and the entire eastern frontier with Russia being #':>ne free of Nazi menace. OFFICIAL'S SUICIDE. Important Rumanian State Papers Missing. THEFT FROM TAXI IN SOFIA. (Received 10.30 a.m.) SOFIA, August 18. A Rumanian Legation courier, Captain Pavlitzu, committed suicide after the theft of the Rumanian State papers, believed to be of great importance, which he had left for a moment in a trunk in a taxi on his arrival from Bucharest. Shipments of oil to Germany from Rumania have been temporarily suspended. It is understood that the Reich has not sufficient ready cash on hand to meet its orders, says a message from Bucharest. ARMS FOR POLAND. AGREEMENT WITH FRANCE. (Received 2 p.m.) PARIS, August 18. France and Poland have concluded an agreement under which France will provide Poland with arms and credits.