GERMAN TROOPS IN PRAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 23768, 16 March 1939, Page 5

GERMAN TROOPS IN PRAGUE

Czech Women Weep In Streets CITY STUNNED BY NEWS OF OCCUPATION (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 16, 12.45 a.m.) PRAGUE, March 15. Prague, stunned by the news of the impending occupation, which many heard by wireless first thing in the morning, responded to the appeal to go quietly to work. One broadcast stated: “The Germans, with powerful 7 mechanized forces, are entering Bohemia and Moravia from all directions. The Government has no alternative but to surrender. Resistance would only involve loss of nationhood. The Germans must be well, not provocatively, received.” German troops entered the heart of Prague at 9.20 a.m. A scouting force of 100 men crossed the border near Melnik, 20 miles from Prague, at 6 o’clock in a blinding snow storm. Military aeroplanes, believed to be German, flew over Prague at 7.30. Silent villagers watched the troops march to Prague. Women wept openly. One of the first moves by the troops was to force traffic to the right side of the road, as it is in Germany. A company of military motor-cycles at the head of the German column roared into Wencelas Square, Prague, the troops quickly following and crowds rushing into the streets. A crowd of 5000 in Wencelas Square fervently and tearfully sang the Czech anthem, gave the clenched-fist salute and hissed and booed the German troops. Police quickly suppressed fistfights among the crowd. Sudeten Germans, wearing swastika arrn-bands, paraded the streets unchallenged. German flags appeared on some private houses. The city’s activities are normal, but crowds have packed the banks and travel offices with the idea of migrating, but there is little hope of that