CZECH RIOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23970, 20 November 1939, Page 9

CZECH RIOTING

DEMONSTRATION IN PRAGUE MANY EXECUTIONS AND ARRESTS NAZI TROOPS MARCH IN * MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED

(United Press Association) (By Ellectric Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, Nov. 18. (Received Nov. 19, at 9.30 p.m.) Following an outbreak of rioting martial law has been proclaimed in Prague and towns of the German “ protectorate. This does not apply to German citizens. The Paris radio announced that 30 persons were shot in a demonslration in the Czech capital and thousands were wounded, apart from 12 executions. Contrary to the German assertion that quiet prevails, the Paris radio states that the populace is most excited. Other accounts say that Black Guards with machine guns were stationed in streets where the homes of students who took part were located. They occupied various schools, and discovered a secret 'printing plant as well as an illegaf radio station. The students attempted to blockade their premises, but the Black Guards broke in with hatchets, arresting a professor and many .students. A secret Czech radio station broadcast a message to the students, “We hear some of you have been murdered, but even these bloodthirsty gangsters will hot succeed in murdering all of you. You will continue your work and reopen your schools.” A Zurich message states thalt Black Shirts completely occupied Prague and placed machine guns and light artillery opposite the university. Reinforcements from Germany entered other Czechoslovakian towns. The Bucharest correspondent of The Times earlier reported that after' rumours that the Russians were coming to expel the Germans crowds poured into the streets in Tabor in South Bohemia and beat up and disarmed the German police. They threw them, into the river.

A message from Budapest states that 5000 motorised German troops arrived in Prague with artillery as a measure against the extension of student riots. They demonstratively entered the city, clearly intending to overawe the populace. The German belief that the situation is serious is shown by the seizure of the international telephone line from Prague to Budapest. Scores of arrests have been made. Like a Dead City Following the executions Prague became like a dead city. The Czechs avoided public places and remained indoors as far as possible. The German authorities announced that the Reich treason law woild henceforth be applicable to the protectorate. A further Official News Agency message from Prague states that the Germans shot three more Czechs, two of whom were police officers, allegedly for attacks on Germans, Explaining the Czech executions, the Berlin Official News Agency states that the universities and high schools will be closed down for three years. A group of Czech intellectuals connected with Dr Benes attempted to disturb peace and order in the protectorate by means of large and small acts of resistance. They molested individual Germans on October 28, the anniversary of the founding of the Czech Republic, and also on November 15.

“All was peaceful and quiet in Prague to-day,” stated a German Government spokesman. “It is a mistake to assume otherwise, merely because young intellectuals and criminals, at-

tempted to disturb the peace. We cannot tolerate such people in war time.” An hour before the Berlin News Agency's announcement about the executions the official spokesman of the German Foreign Office informed foreign pressmen that there was no truth in the rumours about disorders in Bohemia and Moravia. German Version The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press reports that high quarters state that although the execution of Czech students may seem harsh it was necessary because Germany is at war. It was carried out because Germany could not allow a few hotheads to contaminate the Czech people. The remainder of the protectorate is completely calm, but similar events may occur in the occupied parts of Poland. Germany in peace time would be. most lenient with such happenings, but in war she cannot choose to do other than relentlessly crush them. An earlier Berlin message stated that the Official News Agency announced that nine Czechs were shot and 1200 students arrested. The Czech universities have been closed. Additional Storm Troopers have arrived in Prague and severe restrictions are being placed on Czech life.

CAUSE OF OUTBREAK

RUTHLESS MEASURES FOLLOW ARREST OF DR HACHA REPORTED EARLIER BROADCAST PARIS. Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 20, at 0.30 a.m.) The dause of the Prague disturbances is supposed to be the killing of a student during earlier demonstrations, when 120 were supposedly killed and 3000 arrested. An urn containing the ashes of the student was sent to his home with instructions to bury it secretly, but his sister told a surviving brother, whereon the students marched to the Unknown Warrior’s Monument and sang the National Anthem. They tried to approach Baron von Neurath’s residence, but the Germans, fearing a riot, despatched two lorries to the university, where the crews opened Are with machine guns and automatic rifles, killing a boy and fatally injuring two students. More Black Guards arrived, stormed the building, and arrested the students, as well as brutally attacking citizens. Confined to Castle Despite German denials that Dr Hacha, President of the protectorate, has been arrested, reports persist from reliable sources that the Gestapo has confined him to his castle, near Prague. His confinement is stated partly to have resulted from his refusal to visit Berlin in order to sign a decree mobilising 1,000,000 Czechs for attachment to the German regiments in the proportion of one Czech to three Germans. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says the Propaganda Ministry states that Dr Hacha broadcast, appealing to the Czechs to preserve order, and stating that they should realise that the protectorate is now incorporated in “ the vital space ” of the Greater Reich and that its Government, which represents the best interests of the people, should be implicitly trusted. .The Prague correspondent of the Associated Press of America quotes Dr Hacha as saying: “You must not forget that Germany is engaged in a strenuous war on the Western Front, for the prosecution of which the German people are entitled to take all they need. The Czech people have not been led into war, as in the Great War, and are in a better position than many neutrals.” “ Will Never Succumb ” Dr Benes. in a statemsn* made ,r > London, said Czechoslovakia would never succumb to a rei"n r f te The execution of the students was strangely reminiscent of wnat happened in Belgium in the last war, and their killing would have the same effect on the Czech public as Nurse Cavell's assassination on the British. M. Jan Masaryk, former Czech Minister in London, considers that there has not yet been any great revolt against Nazi aggression in the Czech protectorate, because it would at present be premature and stupid, but he is of opinion that the time will come. He adds, “Hitler and the Nazis will disappear after the failure of their' systematic plan for the denationalisation and economic ruin of the Czechs. SERBIAN SYMPATHY LONDON, Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 19. at 10 p.m.) The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of America says the police twice dispersed hundreds of Serbian students who were attempting to demonstrate in sympathy with the Czechs. ANOTHER PEACE MOVE? COPENHAGEN, Nov. 17. It is reported that King Leopold and Queen Wiltelmina have asked the Kings of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark whether they are prepared to collaborate in the formulation of peace proposals.