MORE STRIFE ON FRONTIER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 17

MORE STRIFE ON FRONTIER

GERMANS AND CZECHS CLASH GOVERNMENT RESTORES ORDER MANY TOWNS, OCCUPIED BY SUDETENS (UNITED PEBSS ASSOCIATION —COPTEIOHT.) (Received September 24, 2.10 a.m.) LONDON, September 23. The situation is regarded in Prague with extreme gravity. The general expectation is that German troops may march into Sudetenland at any moment. The question is being asked whether they will stop before they reach Prague. Baglonz has already passed under Nazi control, but at Reichenberg, where Germans are using the Nazi salute, Czechs are mining the bridge. As the Czech infantry rumbles to the frontier, from ’which the civilians are withdrawing, the tension grows. At Eger Sudetens are insisting on sharing the policing of the town with the Czechs, who have warned the Sudeten Free Corps that if they cross the frontier they will be shot down. The Czechs have blown up a bfidge at Gasnitz. The Sudetens control Asch and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of German troops. Here the Czechs retired behind what is believed to be a new frontier. Meanwhile Prague is patrolled by squadrons of cavalry, armed with machine-guns, as scores of thousands of people demand arms “to save Czechoslovakia.” Police lorries dashed through the streets where crowds were threatening. Anti-aircraft guns are now in position. General Syrovy, in a broadcast, said the army was standing firm, and the nation could rely on the valour of the troops. The Germans officially report that tho Czechs blew up the Grottau railway station on the Germanowned line connecting Zittau with Reichenberg, necessitating the cessation of the service.

The Prague correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that the Czech gendarmerie and police in a number of frontier towns were induced to withdraw and surrender their functions without a struggle by Henleinist storm troops, whe took over the buildings. The places thus affected lie along the frontier beyond the Czech first line of defence and include such towns as Eger. Asch, Graslitz, Bodenbach, and'Warnsdorf. Even towns further inland, including Marienbad and Carlsbad, fell partly into- the hands • of Henleinists, but immedi ately the Cabinet resigned, permanent officials took over control and began to restore their authority. By last evening this was generally completed. Demonstrations in Prague The Prague correspondent of “The Times” says every German account of frontier incidents is refuted by eye-witnesses. It is officially announced that the disturbances are similar to those immediately after Herr Hitler’s Nuremberg speech, except that the attackers are now members of the Free Corps, who crossed the frontier at 10 or 12 points and seized customs houses before being driven back. There has been no bloodshed except in southern Moravia, where three were killed. All along the straggling frontier Czech troops are moving up to defence positions and forts.

The German Sociak Democrats and civilians declare that they will fight side by side with the Czech soldiers.

The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the German News Agency, reported that the Czech army reoccupied the Eger district. The agency declares that Czech tanks and armoured cars opened fire with machine-guns at Grazlitz, Falkenhau, and other towns. Sixteen men and women are reported to have been killed. These measures are declared to be “reprisals for the hoisting of swastikas by the population earlier.” Czech, officials at the Klingenthal Customs House burned the portraits of Dr. Masaryk and Dr. Benes and handed over the keys to the Sude-. ten Volunteer Corps. Selb was deserted overnight. Sudetens are swarming across the frontier and taking over all the duties. Reichsmarks have already supplanted Czech crowns. All the Czech emblems have gone. Jews have fled. The Henleinist Ordnance Corps is guarding the customs stations. The demonstrations were resumed in ' Prague early . yesterday morning. Crowds were orderly, but they were less goodtempered than the previous night, women screaming continuously. Many factories have been closed, v and the workers are pouring into the city. Traffic was stopped in the centre of the city by processions converging on the President’s Palace and the legation quarters. There is much oratory, but the speakers do not -seem clear as to the real position. Some imagine that Herr Hitler is already on his way to Prague.

The women attached to the British Legation have been instructed to leave Prague by the first train. German sources report a serious clash at Weipert, the population of which marched to Barenstein on the frontier, where a Czech officer, it is alleged, threw a, hand grenade at a crowd. Czechs and Sudetens were killed, but details are not available. The report adds that buildings in Weipert were set on fire. The German official news agency states that raiding Czechs were thrown back at Neussiedl, Witterbach, and Liebenau. At Liebenau there was a miniature battle between the Czech military and the Sudetens. Some were killed and 20 were wounded. A German wireless station alleges the revolt of the Bratislava garrison.

hy special* arrangement Reuter’s World Service, in addition to other special sources of Information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved, —2

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