GERMAN TROOPS SLIGHTED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 9

GERMAN TROOPS SLIGHTED

Czechs Ignore Parade Through Prague NATIONWIDE ARRESTS CONTINUE By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received March 20, 9.30 p.m.) PRAGUE, March 20. Czechs yesterday pointedly ignored a parade of 10,000 German troops through the city. Crowds of people went to the country for the day in order to avoid witnessing the ceremonies.

Czech flags, which the Germans ordered householders to fly, were removed overnight, and the swastika alone is decorating buildings. People strolling in the streets studiously turned away their faces as the troops passed without being cheered.

Arrests continue all over the country. They include the member of Parliament, Professor Jan de Kozak, a friend of the ex-President, Dr. Benes; also M. Hinterhoff, head of the Polish news agency. _ The British and American Ministers in Prague have under discussion the formation of a refugee camp at Gdynia, on the Baltic, for Czechoslovak fugitives, pending their departure for England and America.

Three hundred who were furnished with British visas and labour permits are hiding in the woods fearing arrest, while Britons who provided them with the-permits refuse to disclose their addresses to the Germans.

NO CAUSE FOR PANIC Australian Cabinet To Meet SYDNEY, March 19. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, who spoke by radio-telephone to Mr. Chamberlain, today, said that there was no cause for panic concerning the developments in Europe. The Federal Cabinet will probably meet in Melbourne on Tuesday to discuss the international situation. The German occupation of Czechoslovakia was condemned by the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. W. M. Hughes, in a broadcast address. He said that the policy of the democratic nations must be “So far and no further.” There would be neither peace nor security till aggressor nations had been halted in their career of conquest. ITALY “REJOICES” Blow To French Policy (Independent Cable Service.) ROME, March 19. The publicist, Signor Virginio Gayda writes: “Italy can but rejoice in the triumph of her powerful friend, particularly when that triumph is a resounding blow against France’s antiGerman policy. History does not end today; obviously it is right to reserve for tomorrow any valuation of Italy’s advantages to be derived from the RomeBerlin axis.” NORWAY TO DEFEND HER NEUTRALITY .OSLO, March 19. Dr. Hambro, President of the Storting (Legislature), declares that Norway neither asks nor desires a guarantee from any Power, because confidence in such promises was never ata lower ebb. Norway depends upon her own power to defend her neutrality, and, therefore, is increasing her defences to prevent violation of her territory.