CZECHS RESTLESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 9

CZECHS RESTLESS

CLASHES WITH GERMANS A NUMBER OF CASUALTIES EIGHT HUNDRED ARRESTED -(United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 29. According to information from Prague, it is reported that four people were killed, many were injured, and 800 were arrested following clashes between Germans and Czechs during the celebration of the twenty-first anniversary of _ the foundation of the Czech Republic. Shots were heard in several sections during the night, the demonstrations lasting until dawn. The German police placed a cordon round Wenceslas Square to prevent demonstrations. This did not prevent the Czechs from wearing national colours and “Masaryk caps” and breaking through and

collecting in front of the Town Hall. The police tried to tear off the insignias, resulting in frequent fights between the Czech townspeople and the German Brown Shirts. The police, aided by the Czech State police, finally dispersed the crowds. ATLANTIC RAIDERS APPARENTLY FIVE OPERATING PARIS, Oct. 29. The military correspondent of LTntransigeant states that five German raiders are apparently operating in the North and South Atlantic, namely, the Deutschland, von Scheer, Westphalen, Friesenland and Ostmark. The last three were formerly supply ships for the German South Atlantic aeroplane services. The Schwabenland, another of this group, is reported to have sunk the Clement before British cruisers sent her to the bottom. NORWEGIAN VESSEL SUNK CREW OF THIRTY SAFE LONDON, Oct. 29. A Norwegian steamer was sunk in the North Sea. The crew of 30, who do not know the cause of the sinking, landed. The chief engineer and two firemen, who were scalded, were taken to hospital. GOLD IMPORTS AND EXPORTS LICENCES IN INDIA (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 29. The Government of India has prohibited the importing or exporting of gold coin, bullion, or ingots, whether refined or unrefined, by sea or land to or from British India (with the exception of Burma), except on the authority of a licence granted by the Reserve Bank of India. There is no truth in the reports that the Supply Department of the Government of India has decided to purchase silver in large quantities. The Government of India has no need or intention of purchasing any silver. On the contrary, it has of late been selling it at its Bombay mint. SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS LONDON, Oct. 29. The Capetown correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that thousands of volunteers are swelling the army. Many regiments are already at war strength, and units are being formed for the overflow. Intensive training is in full swing, and the whole organisation has been widely extended. The Air Force’s striking power has been greatly increased.