IMMEDIATE PURGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26707, 28 February 1948, Page 7

IMMEDIATE PURGE

‘‘Reactionary Elements” in Czechoslovakia COMMUNISTS’ PROMPT ORDER New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 27. Czechoslovakia is now being ruled by Communist action committees under the supreme control of the Central Committee of Prague, Whose leaders are in many cases identical with the Government, says the special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in Prague. The Central Committee’s first action was to order an immediate purge of “reactionary elements” in all Government and newspaper offices and throughout industry, and also the setting up of so-called controls in all factories and works destined for nationalisation. Local mayors have been told to dismiss from city councils and public offices “ all persons whose attitude to the Gottwald Government is not favourable.” All this, the correspondent points out, provides a sufficiently wide range for a purge on the most approved totalitarian model, and already the Action Committee is busily clearing “ reactionaries ” from the Foreign Ministry. This will ensure that any shadow, of independence that M. Masaryk may still retain will be effectively eliminated. He must either go or become a wholly impotent tool of Communism. Another committee is purging the Prague University of all students and professors hostile to “the people’s democracy,” and is demanding representation on the university’s various academic and administrative bodies. The purge has even extended to the Boy Scouts and Girl - Guides, which are being merged in the Communist Youth Movement; but it is in the press that it has gone farthest at ‘; present. The Mlada Fronta, the Communist newspaper boasted ;/i.Jast night that “for the'fitfst time there is not a single power tb undermine confidence in our Government.” In other words, all opposition and criticism of the regime has been suppressed.

The Czechoslovak Ministry of Information banned publication of the joint British, French, and American communique deploring the events in Czechoslovakia, says Reuters Prague

correspondent. 1 Dr Benes meanwhile continues ms * silence. Prague radio announced it was not known when or if Dr Benes would speak. The radio refused the National Socialist Party,, which has been, excluded from Cabinet, facilities to broadcast. ■ , ■ Observers, have noted the start of tne second phase in the country’s political transformation. The Communist Minister of Justice, M. Cepicka, announced that Communist-dominated Action Committees would take over all. Government organisations. Provincial. Action ' Committees are expected to have complete control of all the affairs in towns and villages by March 2. They have already begun the work of eliminating their political opponents. Non-Communists Dismissed There have also been more dismissals of non-Communists from Government offices. Monsignor Jan Sramek, head of the, People’s Party, has’resigned his seat in Parliament. The Government has urgently appealed to members of the preliminary training organisation to surrender immediately all weapons and ammunition in their possession. The Prague correspondent of The Times, summing up the dismissals, says a great purge, after making a complete sweep. of the “ enemies of the people" at the top, is being extended to similar elements lower down. The Ministry of Information issued an order that every item which is to appear in any newspaper or periodical is to be submitted for Government approval- „, . ■ , Members of the new Cabinet took the oath of allegiance to the President and,republic, says Reuter's Prague correspondent. . . There were only two fronts .in Czechoslovakia—the progressive front, and one opposed ta .it,. said the Communist Secretary-general of the Central • Organisation of Industry, . M Fukatko, to-day. The. new Constitution would guarantee private ownership of small and intermediate enterprises with up to 50 employees, he said The Government would nationalise production of alcoholic ■ drinks; . According to. a reliable source, Dr Benes told M. Gottwald during lastminute conversations that the new Government would have evil results. Dr Benes gave his approval only to avert bloodshed and only after M. Gottwald told him the Communists were ready to assume power if the President withheld his consent.. The British United Press corresppndent says that Dr Benes is now bitter because his best friends, who are leaders in. non-Marxist parties, are being called traitors. The Copenhagen newspaper National Tidende said: “ The illboding shadow of the Kremlin is approaching Denmark. The Danes are aware of Scandinavia’s open position in the event of an East-West war." The Paris. correspondent of the Associated Press says that, except for the Communist LHumanite, the morning press proclaimed - that Czechoslovakia was in the hands of Communists. L’Humanite said: “A new regime has been formed under the sign of united action for-true, popular democracy.” The Socialist Populaire commented: “ The new Government includes Independent Ministers who are hostages of the Cominform.” . The Rome correspondent of The Times says ■ many commentators describe the fate which has befallen Czechoslovakia as a grave warning to Italy, where the Left extremists are strongly organising themselves to seize power. ' ■ 1 - -

Italy in Line of Attack

Commentators say the political war will be intensified in Western Europe, where “ Italy stands in the front line of attack/* The Oslo Conservative newspaper. Morgen Bladet, declared: “A true democratic country has been drawn behind the iron curtain. A Communist fifth column is terrorising the Czechs/' The British and United States Consulates in Bratislava organised espionage against Czechoslovakia, declared the Communist-controlled Prague newspaper, Mlada Fronta. The British Embassy spokesman termed the charges against the Embassy of spying “pure nonsense. There is absolutely no fountiation for the charges. R is obvious ■why they have been made. _ The New York Communist Daily Worker, in an editorial, says: “If any thinking American citizen wants to get the low-down on what is going on in the world, let him look at the contrast between Palestine and Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia is free to-day, gloriously rid of all big . money intrigues and conspiracies. Palestine is being betrayfed for the sake of big money profits and dirty deals by generals and bankers dreaming of an anti-Soviet •war.”

World Bank Mission Postponed It is learned authoritatively, says Reuter, that the departure of the World Bank Mission to Czechoslovakia, which had been planned to investigate the Czechoslovak Government a a PP. , ration for.a 350, 000.000-dollar industrial loan has been postponed The mission •was to have left yesterday. Officials gave no reason , for the postponement, blit it is assumed that the present unstable conditions , in' Czechoslovakia make it impracticable for the mission to carry out its work.