INDEPENDENT SLOVAKIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 March 1939, Page 7

INDEPENDENT SLOVAKIA

UNDER HITLER’S PROTECTION SUGGESTION BY HLINKA GUARD CHIEF UFA —B*- Electric telegraph— Copy right! (Received Hth March, 10.10 a.m.) PRAGUE, 13th March. Dr. Tiso left for Berlin at HenHitler’s express invitation. M. Sidor postponed the conference with the Central Government owing to increased tension. The Czechoslovak Cabinet will discuss the situation later to-day. M. Sidor conferred with Dr. Tiso and M. Mach, who is a pro-German, without result. M. Murjos, political chief of the Hlinka Guard, accused M. Sidor of betraying independent Slovakia, and sought freedom from his oath of loyalty, which M. Sidor refused. M. Murjos went to Vienna from where he broadcast to Hlinka supporters suggesting an independent Slovakia under Herr Hitler’s protection, advising them to prepare for a life and death struggle. M. Durcanski, broadcasting from Vienna, said the historic mission of Slovakia was a bridge between Germany and the East, and the moment for decision was near. The Czech Minister in Berlin was instructed to protest against the German press campaign and the use of the Vienna radio for transmission of mutinous and treasonous speeches. TERMS OF SETTLEMENT (Received Hth March, 1.20 p.m.) PRAGUE, 13th March. Dr. Tiso, after his interview with Herr Hitler, requested an extraordinary session of the Slovak Parliament tomorrow morning, to which President Hacha has agreed. M. Mach announced that a telegram had been received from Dr. Tiso stating that the Slovak question was solved on the basis of constitutional selfdetermination for the Slovaks.