HIGH TENSION IN EGER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 17

HIGH TENSION IN EGER

ARMED TROOPS IN

STREETS

EXTENSION OF MARTIAL LAW

REPORTED ATTACK BY CZECHS

ON SUDETEN BATHERS

(UJTITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 16, 11 p"m.) CARLSBAD, September 16. There is very high tension in Eger. where' armed troops parade the streets searching people for arms. The Sudeten headquarters, the Hotel Victoria, is an empty ruin after the previous night's fighting. All -those arrested, except one, have been released. -

Shops are closed, although municipal officers are urging the people to resume work. The station is crowded by fleeing residents. The Prague correspondent of the British United Press states that the police allege that they frustrated a Sudeten plot to make Eger a capital State within the State. They discovered a number of secret tunnels connecting the Sudeten headquarters with hotels and others, a mile long, for the purpose of bringing up reinforcements and for facilitating escape.

The Czechs have proclaimed martial law in five more districts, because of further incidents. Half the Sudeten areas are now under martial law. Special train services prepared to evacuate Czech and nonNazi Germans in case, of emergency. Carlsbad is more normal. The roads to the frontier are subject, to the closest superv'sion. Business at the large Sudeten town of Reichenberg has been brought to a standstill by a strike, which spread also to the factories and schools in other towns.

The German News Agency states that a general strike has begun in Sudeten territory. Two classes of Czech reservists have been called up in the last two days to strengthen the frontier garrisons. .

The Sudeten campaign against their treatment alleges that the Czechs were forcing German-born soldiers to fire on their own countrymen. A large number "of such reservists have defied the callingup notice, which, it is alleged, is de-

signed to denude the Sudeten areas of able-bodied men. The Sudetens state that this is "unparalleled brutality." The Sudetens. also allege that Czech soldiers and police at Eger yesterday, without -warning, attacked Sudetens in a swimming pool. Ma-chine-guns, tanks, and armoured cars opened fire before the Czechs stormed and plundered. Prague is quiet, but there are long queues at the shops selling gasmasks.

The German News Agency reports that telephonic communications between the Sudeten stronghold at Eger and Germany have been interrupted since Wednesday, arid the German Consulate cannot be reached. r '""..'

The headquarters of the Henlein Party telephoned to the German Medical Clinic at Prague that all German doctors should leave as soon as possible, as war was coming. It is officiallv announced that the Czechs are .taking/action against the Henlein proclamation. The form of action is not announced, but it has been "placed in the hands of competent State authorities." An increasing stream of refugees is pouring in from the Sudeten areas. They are mostly German Social Democrats, women, children, aeed. and sick. -It is estimated that 3000 refugees are under the care of the Red Cross and charity organisations.

The German News Aeency declares that more than 5000 Sudet.ens have fled to Germany, including many young peoole. who have been ordered to a mobilisation camp established at Zittau.

MEETING OF LEAGUE

POSTPONED

. GENEVA,. September 15. . A public' meeting of the League Assembly was postponed because of Mi Chamberlain's visit to Herr Hitler. All. the chiefs of the delegations express admiration of his courage. The Czech delegates are confident that the visit wfll be successful, and they express the opinion that all concessions are possible if Germany does not demand the return of Sudeten Germany to the Reich, '