NAZI TERRORISM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 23, 27 January 1940, Page 14

NAZI TERRORISM

BOHEMIA & MORAVIA

MASS ARRESTS & SEARCHES

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received January 27, 10.20 a.m.)

RUGBY, January 26,

The Nazi terrorism in Poland has a counterpart in the so-called protectorate of Bohemia arid Moravia, and evidence is accumulating' daily in London of (mass arrests of former Czech army officials, the persecution of students, the seizure of church property, and the searching of convents.

The early attempt at co-operation appears to have been completely abandoned, and the most brutal methods are adopted to smash any non-German spirit. Universities and many secondary schools have been closed, and Gestapo officers make frequent visits to' schools which are still open and endeavour to extract information from the children, regarding the political views of their parents* It becomes increasingly clear that "Aryanisation" of local industry, the appropriation of public and private revenues, and the total passive submission to the authorities are but preliminary aspects of a plan to effect an exodus of the rural population and their replacement* by farmers from the Baltic countries, and from Germany. The liability of all Czechs between the ages of 15 and 70 to forced labour service was early imposed, and tens of thousands of Czechs, it is reported, have been sent to Germany. Nothing is neglected that would, in full accordance with the policy laid down by Herr Hitler years ago, give the protectorate the appearance of German character.