Czechs Warned by Radio not to Oppose German Troops’ Entry

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1939, Page 7

Czechs Warned by Radio not to Oppose German Troops’ Entry

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, March 15

TT WAS ANNOUNCED FROM THE WIRELESS STATION AT PRAGUE AT 5 O’CLOCK THIS MORNING THAT GERMAN TROOPS HAD BEGUN TO OCCUPY CZECH TERRITORY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT ADDED; “PRAGUE WILL BE OCCUPIED AT 6.30 A.M.” It was stated that the forces of th e Czech army would be disarmed as the Germans met them. , A subsequent message from Pragu e stated that the German forces entered the city at 9.20 a.m. Referring to the entry of the German troops, the Prague broadcast stated; “Their advance must nowhere be resisted, otherwise it may cause the most unforeseen consequences leading to intervention and becoming utterly brutal. “All commanders must obey the 0 rders of the occupying army.

Czech Disarmament “The Czechs will be disarmed. “Military and civil aeroplanes must remain in their aerodromes. 1 “None must attempt to take the air.”

The Prague radio continues to bro adcast every 15 minutes appealing to the army not to resist the German occupation, and adding; “Arms must be surrendered without hesitation.” .•

Czechs Taken Into Reich

An official communique issued in Berlin says that Germany has taken the Czeph people under the protection of the German Reich.

The communique also stated that the autonomist development of Czech national life will be guaranteed by t he German Reich.

An agreement on these lines has b een signed by the German Fuehrer, Herr Hitler, the Czech president, Dr. Hacha. the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, and the Czech F oreign Minister, Dr. Chvalovsky.

A British United Press message fr om Vienna says it is officially stated that German troops have occupied Pils in, <52 miles west-south-west of Prague.