SIX PATRIOTS EXECUTED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23447, 30 September 1941, Page 7

SIX PATRIOTS EXECUTED

German Repression Of Czech's PRIME MINISTER ARRESTED (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON. September 29. The appointment of Reinhard Heydrich as Protector of Bohemia and Moravia and the placing of the country under martial law have been followed by the execution of six Czech patriots, two of them retired generals, and the arrest of the puppet Premier (General Alois Elias) on a charge of high treason. Heydrich, informing the President (Dr Hacha) of the arrest of General Elias, said that General Elias would be tried by a people’s court. These steps are a sequel to the effective campaign of sabotage and non-co-operation which has been carried out by the Czechs. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” says that the (itoice of Heydrich as Protector of Czechoslovakia means that the full resources of the Gestapo will be pitilessly directed at crushing the spirit of resistance of the Czech provinces. Heydrich is one of the most unsavoury figures in the Nazi regime. Hiller enlisted him in the police for his cruelty and complete lack of scruple. The secret Czech radio declares that Heydrich is the bloodiest man of all the bloody Nazis, and that he has been sent to provoke Czechs to open revolt and force all Czechs to their knees. The Official German News Agency stated that Dr. Hacha had promised his “co-operation in the impending task,” and had asked Heydrich for support for the work of the protectorate Government. It is officially announced in Berlin that a state of civil emergency has been proclaimed in Bohemia and Moravia “because of activities inimical to the Reich.” Heydrich took office at a ceremony in Prague, at which not a single Czech was present. The Nazi flag now flies over the proud and ancient fortress which dominates the city. A wave of sabotage is spreading over the districts affected by the decrees. The secret Czech radio stated that the British Broadcasting Corporation's advice to the V Army to go slow is having effect throughout the Protectorate. Strikes have broken out in many factories, including the aeroengine works at Jinocice, the electrical works at Koeniggraclz. and also textile factories in four places. The Moscow radio states that saboteurs are also active in Rumania, where there have been many factory fires. REPRISALS IN FRANCE NAZIS SHOOT MORE HOSTAGES THREAT TO FORMER WAR PRISONERS (Received September 29, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. It is announced in Vichy that four Germans have been killed in Lille and three killed and six wounded in Paris since August 13. In retaliation the Germans so far have executed 61 Frenchmen, 49 of them in the last 10 days. As a reprisal for attempts on Wednesday night and Thursday to blow up German train convoys, the Germans have shot 20 “particularly active Communists,” according to Paris newspapers. Armed terrorists, it is alleged, stole considerable quantities of explosives on Monday night and a series of attacks started on Wednesday near the scene of the theft, which is believed to be on the railway between Lille and Paris. The Germans have sent a threatening message through the Luxembourg radio to former French prisoners of war. “Germany has released hundreds of thousands of French prisoners, but some of them on their return _ have taken up the dirty work of anti-Ger-man propaganda and have become agents of dc Gaulle and the Communists,” the message said. “Such behaviour does not encourage German clemency. , , “The measures taken so far are only warnings. For instance. 10 Communists will be shot immediately for every German attacked. The curfew imposed on Parisians is another warning. “If the French fail . to use every means of opposing anti-German propaganda, which will bring misfortune to millions of their countrymen, Germany is determined to take more severe measures. It is for you to decide, Frenchmen, whether you listen to British propaganda, with its message of death and revolution, or listen to our voice, which is the voice of freedom. PEACE INITIATIVE BY U.S. RETAIN WILLING TO SUPPORT MOVE BRITAIN’S RELATIONS WITH FRANCE (Received September 29, 11.30 p.m.) VICHY, September 28. "I am always ready to support Mr Roosevelt in any peace initiative which the United States may start and I know the Pope also wants peace, said Marshal Petain to a neutral correspondent. , , _ _ ~ , “When the war ends the United States could make a formidable contribution to the peace, provided she stays out of the war and preserves freedom of action. "Britain’s relations with France have been a succession of psychological errors for which Britain is to blame. She knew France would never use her armed forces against her. I am pledged not to use our aeroplanes, fleet, or troops against Britain. Yet she has attacked and is still attacking us. The Royal Air Force is hammering our northern ports to dust.” Nazi U-Boat Base at Trondheim.— It is reported from Oslo that the Germans are constructing a great submarine base at Trondheim, where large tracts have been isolated as secret military areas.—London, Sept. 28. Canadians Arrive in Britain.—Hundreds more Canadian soldiers have arrived in Britain. They include light and heavy anti-aircraft units and ordnance, medical, and dental units. — London, September 29.

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