CZECH CRISIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19887, 15 March 1939, Page 5

CZECH CRISIS

SLOVAK BREAK CABINET RESIGNS CLAIM FOR INDEPENDENCE SECRET DIET SESSION CAT,!, FOR HITLER'S AID movements OF TROOPS (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 15, 11 a.m.) LONDON, March 14. .A message from Prague states 'it is officially announced that the Cabinet has resigned. Earlier it had been reported that the resignation of the Cabinet was regarded as imminent and that none of tlie Ministers would join the next Ministry. Communications between Bratislava and Prague were severed. Czech newspapers guardedly-foretold 'of the creation of an independent Slovakia. Subsequently Bratislava reported (hat it was officially announced from Prague that the Government had resigned and an 'independent Slovak State Had been proclaimed, incorporating the Carpatho-Ukraine. A Bratislava message states that a meeting of the Slovak Diet was held in complete secrecy. The precincts of the 'building were cordoned by police and the entrance doors were guarded by -Hlinka Guards. Only deputies were admitted. Enormous crowds gathered in the town squares. Swastika flags disappeared and only Slovak autonomy and Hlinka banners were flying. Taking Carpatho-Ukraine It was stated that an independent Slovak State would incorporate the Carpatho-Ukraine and that M. Durcanskv would he appointed Foreign Minister, A report from 'Bratislava says that the dismissed Slovakian Premier M. Tiso telephoned the new Premier, M. Karol Sidor, from Herr Hitler's study in Berlin declaring that it was Herr Hitler’s wish that the Slovak Parliament should decide the issue. He did not mind what the decision was, provided it was taken without outside pressure. It was also Herr Hitler’s wish, said M. Tiso, that the decision should be taken to-day. M. Sidor immediately made contact with the Czech President, Dr. Emil 1-lacha and later M. Sidor, in a broadcast, announced that the Slovak Parliament would vote to-day whether Slovakia would secede or remain within Czechoslovakia. An unofficial check showed that 30 of the 58 Slovak deputies favoured secession. Appeal to Hitler A subsequent message from Berlin stated that the Slovak Government had telegraphed to Herr Hitler seeking help against the Czechs. It was also stated in Berlin that M. Volosin, the Carpathian Ukrainian Premier, had requested help from Germany and Italy as guarantors, explaining that Hungarian troops had crossed the frontier. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press states that a high Slovak source stated that German troops expected to occupy to-day Brno and Iglau, and probably other towns in the mixed-language belt having large German minorities. Little opposition was feared to German military action in Slovakia. It was considered that the German -border garrisons in Bohemia and Moravia were of strength that they did not need reinforcement. The general expectation in Berlin was that the Germans would move via Brno along the proposed German motor road and create a corridor separating Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Ruthenia and isolating the Czechs and preventing constant border incidents. Reserves Called Up A report from Munich says that the 1913 class reserves were called up suddenly. A number ot troop trains left for Vienna.

The Propaganda Ministry at Munich explains that the m'ovements are in preparation Bor the review in celebration of the anschluss. Vienna reported that large numbers of German troops were leaving Vienna for Brunn.

Reports from Prague state that Czech mechanised forces which arrived at Bratislava last week were drawn up in formation ready to depart, thus suggesting acceptance of Herr Hitler’s demands.

German Storm Troopers occupied Vyskyina, near Iglau, Czechoslovakia.

M. Tiso was proclaimed as President of Slovakia.