SLOVAK RADICALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1939, Page 7

SLOVAK RADICALS

SECESSION PLOT FAILS HLINKA GUARDS DISSOLVED [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. March 11, 8 a.m.) PRAGUE, March 10. Slovak Radicals, who were preparing to proclaim an independent Slovak State, and to secede from Prague, were foiled. Hearing of the plan, the Central Government promptly dissolved the Hlinka Guards, who throughout the night were confined to barracks under military supervision, or sent to concentration camps in Moravia. The Government has reinforced the garrisons, and has occupied important points and buildings throughout Slovakia. Order now prevails throughout the country.

The synagogue was bombed and blown up at Pistahy, the famous Slovak spa. ’ Anti-Czech and Jewish riots occurred at Malatzka. Separatist demonstrations are reported throughout the. country. . . . Czech and Slovak troops are maintaining order. . . The Central authority has to the Slovak people, by radio, to remain loyal to the Republic. The Separatist, leaders, Tucha and Mach, were arrested, when they tried to enter Hungary.

A Czech mechanised division moved into Slovakia at dawn, and occupied all public buildings and strategic positions. The authorities state that the situation is under control. Martial law has been proclaimed, and the Slovaks have been exhorted to obedience. Tanks are partollipg tlie streets. Slovak workers in large factories struck, and joined the demonstrations in the inner city of Bratislava, where several shots were fired. The military placed a cordon around the city, to prevent factory workers and peasants entering. There is anxiety lest the Slovak Separatists should seek German aid. REBELS’ PLANS KNOWN.

(Recd. March 11. 11.30 a.m.). PRAGUE. March 10. Dr. Tiso and the dismissed Ministers are confined to their (houses, under police supervision. The Government knew on March i that the Hlinka Guards planned a coup d’etat on March 10. The authorities prepared their putsch uietly, sending to a concentration camp many of the ringleaders. LEADERS ARRESTED. (Recd. March 11, 11.15 a.m.). BRATISLAVA, March 10. Sixty Hlinka Guards, including the majority of the movement’s leaders, have been arrested. Troops with fixed bayonets, and tanks, patrol the streets. q . It is reported that the authorities, as a precaution, armed the mosttrustworthy of the Czech citizens, in defiance of martial law. A crowd before the Government buildings shouted. “We want a free, independent Slovakia!”

NEW PREMIER. PRAGUE, March 10. The new Premier is a Deputy, M. Sivak. He is en route to Rome, for the coronation of the Pope, and is not aware that he has been appointed Premier. The Economics Minister is M. Prusinski, and the Labour Minister is M. Duranski. , . . A communique states that certain groups exploited the weakness and irresolution of Dr. Tiso and other Ministers. The Government was no longer able to prevent disturbances in the Ulterior if Slovakia. The action wps intended to maintain order, and to prevent any attempt against a union of the Czechoslovak States. APPEAL TO HITLER. VIENNA. March 10. The wireless station has announced that Dr. Tiso has protested to Herr Vienna broadcast declared that the Czechs have violated the Constitution, and that the new Government of Slovakia is illegal.