BEING EVACUATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 9

BEING EVACUATED

THE SUDETENLAND CZECHS WITHDRAWING SOME SERIOUS CLASHES LONDON, Sept. 22. The official news agency in Berlin states that the Czech army is evacuating all parts of the Sudetenland. At Eger people roamed the streets all night, expecting the arrival of the German army. They wildly cheered the first detachment of the Free Corps. The remaining Czech police are now wearing swastika armbands. The Sudetens have now taken charge of the police service of the entire Sudeten territory up to the Czech frontier. The former Czech police are co-operating to maintain order.

The Czechs have evacuated a large area between Klingenthal and Grazlitz, and swastika flags now decorate the houses. Czech officials at the Klingenthal Custom House burned portraits of the former President, Dr. Masaryk, and of Dr. Benes, and handed over the keys to the Sudeten Volunteer Corps. Selb was deserted overnight. Sudetens are swarming across the frontier and taking over all duties. Reichmarks have already supplanted Czech crowns, and all Czech emblems have gone. Jews have fled. The Hanleinist ordnance corps is guarding the Customs stations.

The Prague correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the gendarmerie and the police in a number o F frontier towns were induced to withdraw and to surrender their functions, without a struggle, by Henleinist storm troopers, who took over the buildings. The places thus affected lie along the frontier beyond the Czech first line of defence, and include towns such as Eger, Asch. Grazlitz, Bodenback and Warnsdorf. Even towns further inland, including Marienbad and Carlsbad, fell partly into the hands of the Henleinists, but immediately the Cabinet resigned permanent officials took, over their control and began to restore authority, which by evening had been generally completed. German Army Preparedness The Munich correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that all troops are in readiness awaiting orders to move towards Czechoslovakia. Thousands of private vehicles have been commandeered by tjpe military, anohundreds of motor-lorries are being loaded with military supplies in the barrack kards. German sources report a serious clash at Weipert, the population o: which marched to Baerenstein, on the frontier, where a Czech officer is alleged to have thrown a hand grenade into a crowd, Czechs and Sudetens being killed. Details are not available. It is added that buildings at Weipert were set on fire.

The official German news agency says that raiding Czechs were thrown back at Neussiedl, Mitterbach and Liebenau. At Liebenau a miniature battle took place between Czech troops and Sudetens, some being killed and 20 wounded.

REMAINING ALOOF U.S. RESOLVE DEEPENED FRANCE AND BRITAIN FACED TERRIBLE ALTERNATIVES NEW YORK, Sept. 22. The news of Czechoslovakia’s capitulation cannot be said to have elicited any new reaction from American officialdom or tjie public. It came virtually in the nature of an anti-climax, yet there must be a realisation in all nations, where America’s action or reaction in international affairs is considered important, that every day’s developments only deepen the basic resolve of America to remain aloof from Europe’s problems. The representative of the United Press at Washington says that the President, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, ana the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, do not consider the crisis is dissipated, and continue to refuse to comment, because of the constantly changing conditions. Observers point out that if Mr. Hull and Mr. Roosevelt had involved themselves in the controversy they might now find themselves in a highly unsatisfactory position. When All Facts are Known Comment continues to be picturesque and variable, as it has been since the beginning of the Czech crisis. The New York Times, in a leader-to-day entitled “Epitaph,” says: “The smouldering fires set aflame by the Sudeten precedent light a perspective that no Government, not even Herr Adolf Hitler’s, can survey without alarm. “When all the facts are known, perhaps it will be clear that France and Britain were facing terrible alternatives and had less margin of choice than the world believes. “Nor can any of us after this, with light heart and clear conscience, cheer causes that we are not ready to defend. only Czech for whom the cheer:; for Czechoslovakia have not turned bitter to-day is Professor T. G. Marsaryk, and he is dead.” Bitter and Disillusioned The New York Evening Post utters the warning that all the Versailles Treaty boundaries can now be reversed. “The people of all nations," it says, “are bitter and disillusioned far more bitter and disillusioned than they would have been if the League and the elaborate system of treaty guarantees had never ex'.sted.” ADVISED 10 DEPART BRITISHERS AT PRAGUE Received Sept. 23, 10.5 p.m. LONDON. Sept. 22. A message from Prague says that the British colony was summoned to the Consulate and advised to depart. The majority are doing so. /