CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1938, Page 5

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

SUDETEN CORPS A FORCE OF TEN THOUSAND. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright), (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). LONDON, September 19. Solb, a Sudeten stated Sudeten “free corps” will continue attacks on the Czechoslovakian frontier. It was decided to‘ limit" the corps to four divisions of ten ‘/thousand 1 each, with Herr Henlein in supreme command. A large Sudeten rally is being held in Dresden to-night.

SURMISES OF PLAN. (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). PRAGUE, September 19. The newspapers publish surmises of the British-French plan. The public’s reaction is that Czechoslovakia lias been abandoned. Some declare we must go down ’fighting, but the more moderate counsel emphasise the •probability of an international guarantee and stress the importance of saving the rest of the country, since the Sudeten situation is hopeless A POLISH DEMAND. (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). WARSAW, September 19. - The Polish press proclaims in large headlines “We demand the return of Polish soil in Czechoslovakia.” There was a demonstration with the slogan “Poles organised” in Polish Silesia AUSTRIAN ENQUIRY. , (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). VIENNA, September 19. Czech residents in Vienna were summoned to the police stations and closely questioned, hut there are no further arrests. A STRICT CENSORSHIP. (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). PRAGUE, September 19. Cabinet has deferred a decision till it sees the actual British-French, plan. Strict censorship has been imposed. Foreign telephone calls are tapped and foreign newspapers confiscated.

A DECLARATION. BY CZECH MINISTER. , (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). PARIS, September 19. After conversation with Mr Georges Bonnet (French Minister for Foreign Affairs), who disclosed the details ot the British-French plan, the Czech' Minister, M. Osusky. who was visibly moved said to the press. “Do you want to see a man condemned without a hearing. Here I stand.” “L’lntransigeant,” states that Premier M. Edouard Daladier and M. Bonnet are going to Prague oh September 21. ROUMANIA PREPARING (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). BUCHAREST, September 19 Roumania has increased her labour force working on a strategic railhead linking up Czechoslovakia. Soviet troops have also moved to where disorders might be expected.

GERMANY MOVING TO FRONTIER MUNICH', September 19. Germany is continuing to move men and material to the frontier. Many are going east towards “Austria. A DRAFT REPLY. READY TO FIGHT. (Received this day at 10.0 a.m.). PRAGUE, September 19. The Ministers Council has drawn up a draft reply to England and France.. The Prague- correspondent of the British United Press says that a Government representative declared. “We have not changed our policy We cannot cede territory or accept a plebiscite which would moan the same thing. We will fight first.” Official circles express the. opinion that the 'Czechs should fight while in possession of the strategic frontier mountain ranges. 'SUDETEN JUBILATION. (Received this day at 1.45 p.m.) PRAGUE, September 19. Sudeten refugees, now 100,000, are distributed in fifty-three camps. An announcement from the headquarters of the Sudeten free corps says “preparations for complete action can begin,” and adds “this announcement has caused joy to Sudetens lately able to flee from the' terror of'the Sussite mob. There w<?re 'touching scenes of reunion of those lost in the last few days of heavy fighting. • They have now found a common front, and are burning for the moment when they will he free with their racial comrades from the regime of the Czech Bolshevists.”

RUSH OF GERMAN TROOPS. (Received this day at 2 p.m.) PRAGUE; September 19. The. British United Press’ Berlin correspondent says warlike preparations towards the Czech border continue. The roads at Breslau are jammed with military transport. Trainloads of guns and bodies of troops are reported to be moving towards the border. '

HUNGARIAN DEMANDS. , LON DON, September 19. The Budapest correspondent of “The Times’’ says the Government has promised to support the demands of the Hungarian, minority in Czechoslovakia for a plebiscite. The tension in Dannbian Europe is increasing. ' Anxiety is being kept at fever heat by German wireless propaganda. ANNAM’S loyalty. PARIS. September 10. The Emperor of Annam has assured the Governor-General of Indo-China of the allegiance to Franco of both her- [ self and his subjects. ACCEPTANCE OF PLAN. BY CZECH GOVERNMENT. (Received this day at 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. Reuter’s Prague correspondent says that it is authoritatively stated that the Government is accepting the-Bri-tish-French plan, and is asking for a. more concrete explanation to enable the framing of a reply;,

ANXIETY OF JEWS. GENEVA, September 19. The World Jewish Congress executive has telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain and M. Daladier emphasising the growing anxiety of millions of Jews in view of Germany’s attempt to acquire .new territories inhabited by Jews and hand them over to oppression. It urges a settlement which will fully safeguard Jewish rights, besides the fundamentals of justice and humanity*