GERMAN METHODS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 June 1939, Page 7

GERMAN METHODS

REIGN OF TERROR IN KLADNO REPRISALS FOR KILLING OF NAZI POLICEMAN CZECHS FEAR THE WORST iU.P.A —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] LONDON, 10th June. Something akin to a reign of terror is gripping Kiadno. where the Nazis have instituted reprisals following the killing of Wtlfeeim Kneist, a German policeman, says the Prague correspondent o# the British United Press. The Czech* fear the worst. Only those who can prove they are going to work are allowed in the streets between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. An official statement declares all will instantly be shot who know but do not reveal the identity of the murderer of Kneist. Meanwhile, Kneist has been elevated to the status of a Nazi martyr. Reuter’s Prague correspondent says a partial reconstruction of the Czech Government is likely as a sequel to

the murder, but rumours of resig nation are described as premature.

The Czech Premier, M. Elias, called on the Secretary of State for Bohemia and Moravia, Herr Frank, and expressed his regrets on behaf of Kiadno. He promised to do everything in his power to arrest Kneist’s murderers.

It is reported that a young Czech nurse voluntarily surrendered to the police in connection with the murder, but the Kiadno police deny this. The Reich Protector, Baron von Neurath, is said to have suspended punitive measures.

A Czech policeman was shot dead as the result of a clash between Germans and Czech police in Nachod. All those involved have been arrested. Another report states that unknown persons fired at two German policeman in Nachod. 'Neither was hurt.

It was announced yesterday that a fine of £3700 had been imposed on the town of Kiadno. Workers were exempt and the brunt of the payment of the fine would fall on suppoters of Dr Benes and Pews. It was announced that if the murderer were not caught by Sat - urday evening further reprisals would be taken. The police authorities are offering a reward of £220 for a clue leading to the arrest of the murderer of Kneist. The Kladna district is most concerned over the retaliatory measures inflicted upon the city. German troops are patrolling in pairs and occasionally carrying out their threats to shoot through open windows. The arrests include the Czech chief of police, M. Bek, the mayor, M. Franz Pawei, 100 Czech police and 80 civilians. A wreath sent by Herr Hitler was solemnly laid on the spot where Kneist was killed. It is stated that an autopsy revealed that Kneist was hit by bullets of two different sizes. The representatives of “The Times” in Kiadno says that though the town has only 20,000 inhabitants, Kiadno is patrolled by over 8000 German police armed with machine-guns, searchlights and tear gas. Patrols are making house-to-house searches with fixed bayonets. The market square is filled with armoured cars, field kitchens and uniformed officers, and resembles war conditions.

The Czech point out that Kneist was last seen intoxicated and quarrelling over a girl with a fellow German in a cabaret. Shots were heard and a Czech found Kneist dead. GERMAN TROOPS MOVEMENTS A message from Warsaw states that the Peasant Party news agency reports important German troop movements near Silesian Teschen, which Poland acquired after Munich. The Germans are hectically fortifying the frontier. The moves are regarded as an attempt to impress the Czechs with Germany’s strength.