Slovaks Expected to Proclaim Nation’s Independence

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1939, Page 7

Slovaks Expected to Proclaim Nation’s Independence

(Received 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, March 13. QFFICIAL CIRCLES IN BERLIN DECLARE THAT DR. TISO, WITH GERMAN APPROVAL. WILL PROCLAIM SLOVAK INDEPENDENCE TO PARLIAMENT TOMORROW.

Czech circles state that Czechoslovakia has accepted the German demands for Slovak independence, and has agreed that the Prague Cabinet will be reconstructed on the lines ca bled earlier.

Tire Bratislava correspondent of “The Times” says it is believed Slovakia is , about to become an independent nation with German support under German influence.

The Munich correspondent of “The Times” reports that increased activity on the main highways, noticeable in recent weeks, has been intensified in the last two or three days. Long columns of army lorries filled with soldiers are going to Salzburg, mainly at night.

Armoured Cars Patrol Bratislava Dr. Tiso, dismissed Slovak Premier, has loft for Berlin, at Herr Hitler's express invitation, says a Prague message.

i M. Sidor, Slovak leader, postponed the conference with the Central Government, owing to increased tension.

The Czechoslovak Cabinet will discuss the situation later to-day,

M. Durcanski, former Slovak Minister, broadcasting from Vienna, said the historic mission of Slovakia was a bridge between Germany arid the East.

The moment for a decision was near

Armoured cars are patrolling the streets of Bratislava, and tension is growing, states a message from Prague.

Believed to be the result of the Slovakian situation, Herr Hitler has postponed his scheduled departure for Vienna for the anschluss anniversary celebrations.

Well-informed circles state that Herr Hitler has decided to intervene in Slovakia, but there is no indication of the form which it is likely to take.

The German press atrocity campaign Is rising in a crescendo. Papers are citing incidents of brutality in which Czech terrorists are “spilling innocent German blood.”