SLOVAKIA DECLARED INDEPENDENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 15 March 1939, Page 7

SLOVAKIA DECLARED INDEPENDENT

RESIGNATION OF CZECH CABINET

GERMAN TROOPS READY TO OCCUPY SEVERAL TOWNS

FIGHTING BETWEEN HUNGARIAN AND CZECH TROOPS

(United Press Association—By (Received 15th IV] Slovakia was declared an Tiso has been proclaimed Presic appointed Foreign Minister. C; in Slovakia. A Prague message states i signed. Communications bctw< been severed. The meeting of the Slov secrecy. The precincts of the bi and the entrance doors guarde Deputies were admitted. Messages from Berlin state that little opposition is expected to German military action in Slovakia. It is considered that the German border garrisons in Bohemia and Moravia are of such strength that there will be no need for reinforcements. The general expectation is that the Germans will move via Brno along the proposed German motor road and create a corridor separating Bohemia and Moravia and Slovakia and Ruthenia, thus isolating the Czechs and preventing constant border incidents. Reports from Prague state that the Czech mechanised forces which arrived in Bratislava on 9th March are drawn up in formation ready to depart, suggesting their acceptance of Herr Hitler’s demands. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that a high Slovak source stated that German troops are expected to occupy to-day Brno and Iglau and probably other towns on the mixed language belt having large German minorities. Large numbers of German troops are leaving Vienna for Brno. A run on all banks in Bratislava was checked by a decree limiting withdrawals to 500 crowns. HUGE MOVEMENT OF TROOPS An Independent Cable Service message states that it is understood that 40 divisions of troops are moving throughout the Reich. It is estimated that 15 divisions are en route to the Czech borders and the remainder await orders pending developments in the Czech State. The general impression in informed quarters is that troops will move into Slovakia to-night after an ultimatum to the Czechs to evacuate. The huge movements of troops almost brought to a standstill traffic in Vienna. THE FUHRER’S WISH Broadcasting from Bratislava to-day, M. Sidor, who was appointed Premier of Slovakia after the dismissal of Dr. Tiso, announced that Parliament would vole to-day whether Slovakia shall secede or remain with Czechoslovakia. This announcement followed a conference between Herr Hitler and Dr. Tiso who arrived in Berlin yesteiday at the Fuhrer’s express invitation, accompanied by M. Karmasin, leader of the German minority in Slovakia. After the conference Dr. Tiso telephoned M. Sidor from Herr Hitler’s Berlin study, declaring that it was the Fuhrer’s wish that the Slovak Parliament should- decide the issue. He did not mind what the decision was provided it was taken without outside pressure. It was also Herr Hitler’s wish that the decision should he taken to-day. A message from Berlin states that the Slovak Government has telegraphed to Herr Hitler seeking help against the Czechs. RESERVES CALLED UP SUDDENLY GERMAN TROOP TRAINS I OK VIENNA REPORTED MASSING IN SLOVAKIA LONDON, 14th March. (Received 15th March, 9 a.m.) The 1913 class of reserves were called up suddenly to-day in Munich, and a number of troop trains left for Vienna. The Propaganda Ministry explains that the movements are in preparation for a review in celebration of the anniversary of Anschluss. ULTIMATUMTO PRAGUE DEMANDS BY HUNGARY FIGHTING ON THE BORDER (Received 15th March, 10 a.m.) BUDAPEST, 14th March. Alleging that Czech troops fired on them across the border, Hungarian troops advanced and occupied Oerhcgyalja. They took a number of prisoners. Oerhcgyalja is close to Nankacevo, which was ceded to Hungary after Munich. Fighting continues. A later message states that Hungary ; sent an ultimatum to Prague demand- ; ing an answer within twelve hours I agreeing to the immediate release i of all Hungarian prisoners in Czech- | | Slovakia and allowing the Hungarian minority to organise self-defence ] and carry arms; also that Czcchoslo- | vakian troops must evacuate Ruthenia in 24 hours. The reference to Slovakia is tanlanount to a declaration of solidarity herewith. Later it was officially announced that ■Jungarian troops are marching into on an cightecnnile front, meeting occasional resistince. Czech troops are withdrawing from he Ruthenian-Hungarian frontier. Polish troop movements are reportid on the northern Ruthenian frontier. An Independent Cable Service mesage states that fighting extended over he entire Ruthenian frontier. Hun'arians occupied many Ruthenian vilages and towns and hoisted flags. Admiral Horthy, the Regent, conerred with Italian and German Minisers this morning int 1 2 presence of ne Foreign Minister and Chief of taflf. WARSAW, 14th March. It is officially stated that Poland has

Electric Telegraph—Copyright) larch, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, 14th March, independent State to-day. Dr. dent and M. Durcansky has been arpalho-Ukraine is incorporated that the Czech Cabinet has recen Prague and Bratislava have /ak Diet was held in complete uilding were cordoned by police •d by Hlinka Guards. Only the. no claims on Slovakia and Ruthenia. and there is no possibility of troops moving in. HELP FROM GERMANY AND ITALY REQUESTED BERLIN. 14th March. M. Volosin. the Carpathian-Ukrainian Premier, requested help from Germany and Italy as guarantors, explaining that Hungarian troops had crossed the frontier.

ABORTIVE RISING

1 RUTHENIAN NATIONAL GUARDS LEADERS FLEE TO RUMANIA (Received 15th March. 10 a.m.) PRAGUE. 14th March. It is semi-officially stated that eighty Carpathian-Ukrainian (Ruthenian) National Guard members and thirty Czech troops were injured during an abortive rising at Chust organised by the National Guard. The leaders fled to Rumania, destroying a Customs House with grenades and cutting telephone lines.

HISTORIC HOUR CENTURY OLD AMBITIONS FULFILLED NEW CABINET FORMED TWO NATIONS FAREWELL ONE ANOTHER ' V \ -Hv Blent ric Telegranh -» (Received 15th March, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON. 14th March. Dr. Tiso. after proclaiming the independence of Slovakia, said: “The Government includes the best range of Slovak people who, in this historic hour, fulfilled century old ambitions. Keep order and discipline and prove yourselves worthy of the happier future to which we hope to lead you. We hope our hard won independence will be preserved. Developments will be peaceful. We desire to live in amity with all our neighbour.” While police controlled the enormous crowds, the Diet held a secret extraordinary session and appointed the following Cabinet:— Prime Minister: Dr. Tiso. Deputy-Prime Minister: M. Tuca. Minister of the Interior: M. Sidor. Minister of Foreign Affairs: M. Durcansky. Minister of War: M. Csatlos. Minister of Propaganda: M. Mach. Minister of Education: M. Sivak. Minister of Finance: M. Pruchinsky. Minister of Justice: M. Fritz. Minister of Communications: M. 3taud. After M. Sidor had explained why ie had resigned the provisional Premiership, Dr. Tiso, reporting on his to Berlin, said : “If the Slovaks ibide by the principles of racial de:ermination Germany will support •hem. if not, it will be so much worse ? or the Slovaks.” M. Sidor, after three sleepless nights. :ollapsed at the end of the session in ;he Diet. Czech troops are withdrawing from Bratislava and other districts. It is )fficiallv announced that the Czech and Slovak nations farewelled one another oy wireless ADVANCE OF GERMAN TROOP A Prague message stales that it is ofIcially announced that German troops nave occupied Mofavska and Ostrava md advanced to Mistok. NEARING POLISH FRONTIER The Hungarian legation at Warsaw itotes that troops have advanced across luthenia to within 9£ miles of the Polsh frontier and are resuming to-mor-CZECHOSLOVAK UNION ENDS __ PRAGUE CABINET MAY BE RECONSTRUCTED PRESIDENT HACHA TO VISIT HITLER • Received 15th March, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON. 14th March. An official announcement from Prague slates: “To-day the leg;al Czechoslovak Union disappears. Each begins a separate existence. The Czechs never showed unfriendly feeling towards the Slovaks and hope that their independence will be happy and successful, that Slovakia will be able to create all the necessary economic conditions to supply her needs and shall always remember the friendly association. The new dispensation cannot divide the hearts of the people who have lived together for twenty years.” President Hacha and the Foreign Minister, M. Chvalkovsky, have gone to Berlin to see Herr Hitler, after which ti.-"' Prague cabinet may be reconstructed. M. Durcansky’s Slovak Free Corps, formed in Germany, have entered Slovakia. Fugitive Czechs and Jews congest the Bratislava station. Hlinka guards are searching Jews on the roads for jewellery. Troops began moving at 5 p.m. along the Znaimbrunn road, states a message

from Vienna. It is estimated that. 200,000 are concentrated near the Czechoslovak border.