50,000 Czechs Caught In Wave Of Arrests

Northern Advocate, 12 October 1949, Page 5

50,000 Czechs Caught In Wave Of Arrests

PRAGUE. Tue, (10 am,).—Fresh arrests in Prague and other parts of Czechoslovakia, were reported today on a larger scale than ever before. Last night and early this morning security police went their rounds after a brief week-end lull. Evidence from. first-hand sources indicates that the arrests have been going on for about five weeks.

Reliable reports say that about 10.000 people have been arrested in Prague and 40.000 throughout the country. Police vans have again called, mainly at the residences of surviving members of the middle, class, reinforcing the theory now held here that the arrests are aimed at finally disintegrating this group, regarded by Communists as the most likely to contain hostile elements. Police refuse to give information to relatives and authorities have ignored invitations from foreign press representatives to issue explanatory statement®.

In those cases, where it, has been possible to find some clue to the fate of those arrested, it has been learned that they were transported almost immediately to forced-labour camps. Many were warned when they were arrested to take heavy footwear and warm clothing. Prague and other towns affected by this major police action remain outwardly normal, except that, by early evening, the streets are much less crowded than usual.

Behind the apparent normality there is tension and. among the class of people concerned, real f-.n-.VAmgr and fear-,