MORE EXECUTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24084, 1 October 1941, Page 7

MORE EXECUTIONS

OPPRESSING CZECHS RUTHLESS NAZI RULE PREVENTING ASSEMBLY (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30 The Prague radio announced that a court martial passed the death sentence on 20 more Czechs, who were immediately shot. They included a retired brigadier-general and an editor a Prague newspaper. Reports are circulating in Berlin thafc thousands of arrests have been made in Bohemia and Moravia. A decree has been issued hnnning all Czech meetings, sporting and cultural events, theatres and concerts. It states that notice must be given of meetings of shareholders and economic corporations. Houses must be locked up by 11 p.m. unless an earlier curfew has been imposed. Premier Taken to Berlin Czecho-Slovak headquarters in London have learned that General Alois Elias, Premier of Bohemia and Moravia, who was arrested on a charge of high treason, has already been taken to Berlin. Nazi officials allege that he and other members .of the., puppet government have been in contact with i_,ondon. serving the interests of Dr. Benes, Czech President. The German radio said the first death sentences ordered by Reinhard Heydrich, the new Nazi governor, under the state of emergency in Bohemia and Moravia, were carried out yesterday when six people were shot. According to the Moscow radio an unconfirmed message from Berne says that von Neurath, whom Heydrich succeeded, has been arrested. It is learned in Czecho-Slovak quarters in London that the two Czech generals Bily and Vojta, whose execution was announced from Berlin, were arrested at Prague on Saturday by a special order from Heydrich, who had just arrived. A special Court was formed at once, and within 23 hours both wera shot. Service in Last War General Bily, who was a septuagenarian, served in the last war on the Austrian General Staff. After 1918 he commanded various Czecho-Slovak units, and in 1929 was appointed to one of the four Czech commands. He retired five years later. General Vojta was an artillery specialist. He escaped from the Austrians to the Russians in the last war, when he was appointed commander of the first Czech artillery regiment. He took part in the entire Russian campaign. According to a Berlin spokesman, normal conditions prevail in the six districts of Bohemia and Moravia where emergency law has been proclaimed. The number of arrests was under 1000. The emergency Jaw imposes curfew at 9 p.m. Sabotage in France The Moscow radio says a German military train was blown up at Rouen. The station buildings were damaged. Leaflets are being distributed in France condemning the Vichy leaders for taking the harvests from the peasants and handing them over to the Germans. The leaflets urge the peasants to hide everything. It is reported from Stockholm that the Germans are transferring Oslo dockers to the north of Norway as a punishment for strikes.