DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25428, 26 February 1948, Page 7

DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRAGUE

Lorry-loads of troops and police cruised the streets of Prague as 90.000 people, shouting “Long Live Gottwald,” and “Long Live Benes,” gathered last evening in Wenccslaus square in answer to the call of the Communistsponsored Central Action Committee for a mass demonstration. The Prague correspondent of the British United Press says that the police finally had to bar crowds pouring down side streets from crushing into the crowded square. ■ The demonstration looked like an advance victory rally. Menwhile, the central committee of the Czech student organisations under National Socialist leadership delivered to Dr. Benes a resolution saying, that the students had decided to face a blood purge such as the Nazis carried out if it became necessary to defend the party and democracy.

J After announcing that the entire ’ working population of Czechoslovakia t had begun a onhour token strike ! called by the Communist-dominated ■ Trade Union Federation, the Prague 5 radio itself went off the air for nW minues in a token strike. The radio 5 said that the strike was “in support ■ at the Federation’s demand for £x- ■ tended nationalisation of industry and ' commerce.” Essential services also stopped fof ’ only five minutes. The Moscow correspondent of the ■ Associated Press quotes a Tass ‘ Agency report that a delegation of the 1 Slav Committee of the Soviet Union, : headed by Lieutenant-General A. S. i Gondorov, is on its way fo Prague to I participate in a meeting which is arranging for a congress of Slav scholars.