A VITAL HOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 9

A VITAL HOUR

APPEAL TO CZECHS

"STAY AT XOUR POSTS"

DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRAGUE

(Received September 24, 9 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 23. Following a general strike yesterday which broke out against capitula-j tion, demonstrators are returning to work and shops and factories are open. Troops have been withdrawn from the streets, which are now normal. A low-flying aeroplane dropped leaflets signed by the Premier, General Sirovy, reading:— "This is a vital hour, and I appeal to you to stay at your posts, soldiers by their arms, farmers by'their ploughs, and workers in factories and employees in their offices, while the army guards the Republic's security. It can carry out its duties only if the nation calmly and unanimously supports it. Le^ your work for the State prove your determination. Further demonstrations can only serve our enemies." j The official Czech news agency announces that Dr. Hodza suggested that ! the inclusion of Slovak representatives I should complete the new Government, and that this will be done as soon as possible. • EXCITEMENT IN STREETS. Workers in disciplined columns marched ■ from all the big factories yesterday, carrying the national coli ours. Later a number of deputies of aU parties, excepting the Agrarians, appeared on the balcony of the Parliament building and announced the [Government's resignation by loudspeakers to the Vast assembly of patriotic demonstrators who. had come jto demand it. Speakers " from all | parties and nationalities —Czechs, ! Slovaks, Germans, Conservatives, Catholics, Socialists, and Communists, mostly members of Parliament—came to the balcony to show that party and class differences had been sunk. Prague was patrolled by squadrons of cavalry anned1 with machine-guns as scores of thousands of people demanded arms to save Czechoslovakia. Police in lorries dashed into the streets,, where the crowds were threatening. Anti-aircraft guns are jn posi- | tion. The Premier, General Sirovy, broadcast "that tile army was standing firm and that the nation could rely on I the valour of the troops. FERVOUR DIES DOWN. After a day of excitement and patriotic fervour, the, city last night was calm. Crowds thronged the streets, but the police had no reason to interfere. The President's castle has a special guard, and the British, Polish, and German legations are also guarded. General Sirovy presented the members of the new Cabinet to President Benes at the Presidential palace and the oaths of allegiance were taken. Dr. Benes thanked the former Premier, Dr. Hodza, and his colleagues for their faithful work during a critical period, RELIANCE ON THE ARMY. President Benes, in a proclamation this morning, said: ' Enemy propaganda here and ! abroad is trying-to undermine the nation's confidence in the -authori--1 ties and create unrest and apposition. In this difficult moment the nation has naturally turned to the army for strength and organisation, " for which everyone has made sacrifices. Every true citizen sees in the ; army his protection and the nation's salvation. The army will deserve this confidence and stand immovably by the Government's decisions. It will remain firm against all disruptive activities which menace the State, no matter where they come from. Its firm discipline will be a guarantee of the Government's and nation's confidence. The. army must be filled with absolute confidence and devotion to carry out every order promptly, sure in the knowledge that its obedience will ensure the nation's safety.