COUP FRUSTRATED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19885, 11 March 1939, Page 5

COUP FRUSTRATED

SLOVAK RADICALS

HOSTILITY TO CZECHS

CLAIMS TO INDEPENDENCE

LEADERS UNDER ARREST

COMPLAINT TO HITLER

(Elac. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Reed. March 11. noon.) LONDON, March 10.

Reports from Prague state that a coup d'etat , which Slovak Radicals were preparing, intending to proclaim an independent Slovak State and secede from the Prague Government, has been foiled. Hearing of the plans the Central Government promptly dissolved the Hlinka Guards, who throughout the night were confined to barracks under military supervision or to concentration camps.

The Government has reinforced garrisons and occupied important points and buildings throughout Slovakia. Order now prevails.

A Bratislava message states that the Hlinka Guards, including the majority of the movement's leaders, wercarrested. Troops with fixed bayonets and tanks patrol the streets.

It is reported that the authorities, as a precaution, armed the most trustworthy Czech citizens. In defiance of martial law, a crowd assembled before the Government buildings in Bratislava and shouted: "We want a free and independent "Slovakia." Synagogue Bombed A synagogue was bombed and blown "up at Pistany, the famous Slovak spa. Anti-Czech and anti-Jewish riots occurred at Malatzka. Separatist demonstrations are. reported throughout the country. The central authority has appealed to the Slovak people by radio to remain loyal to the republic. The Separatist leaders, M. Tuclia and M. Mach were arrested when they tried to enter Hungary. A Czech mechanised division moved into Slovakia at dawn and occupied all public buildings and strategic positions. Following an unofficial proclamation of a state of siege in Bratislava and presumably otner large towns martial law was announced. Strike By Workers Slovak workers in large factories struck and joined the demonstrations in the inner city of Bratislava where several shots were fired. The military cordoned the city to prevent factory workers and peasants from entering. M. Tiso, the Slovak Premier, has been dismissed, and .the Ministers are confined to their houses under police supervision. It is stated in Prague that the Government , knew on. Tuesday that the Hlinka Guards had planned a coup d'etat for to-day. The authorities prepared their putsch quietly, sending to, concentration camps many of the ringleaders.

A communique states that certain groups exploited the weakness and irresolution of M. Tiso- and other Ministers. The Government was no longer able to prevent disturbances in the interior of Slovakia. The new Premier is a deputy M. Sivak.

It is stated that owing to anxiety lest the Slovak separists seek German aid M. Sivak is going to Rome before the coronation of Pope Pius XII. The Pope is unaware that M. Sivak has been appointed Premier.

A message from Vienna states that a wireless station had announced that M. Tiso had protested to Herr Hitler. Another Vienna broadcast declared that trie Czechs had violated the constitution of the new Government of Slovakia.