MOBILISATION COMPLETED IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 11

MOBILISATION COMPLETED IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Prague Government Makes Study

Of German Terms

FOREIGNERS OFFER SERVICES FOR DEFENCE Slovak Autonomist Party Urges Members to Colours

(UNITED PKBSS iSSOCIATIOK—COPTBtGHT.)

(Received September 25, 10 p.m.)

LONDON, September 24.

Reports from Europe state that a general mobilisation in Czechoslovakia, which was ordered by Dr. Benes yesterday, has been completed. Reference to it, however, is deleted from the German press, which features the possession of the Asch district by the Sudetens, and also lauds Herr Hitler and Mr Chamberlain as "two honest statesmen," coupled with a bitter attack on the Syrovy Cabinet.

An English broadcast from Prague announces that the Government is studying the German terms. Dr. Benes is receiving numerous telegrams from all parts of the world sympathising with Czechoslovakia.

Telephonic communication -between Prague and other European cities has been cut off. Only State and diplomatic calls are allowed, indicating the heavy censorship "after the mobilisation.

Except in a few districts where small insurgent incidents occurred the country is calm. Many foreigners residing in Prague have offered their services for defence and have been accepted as volunteers.

The Slovak Autonomist Party, which, at the beginning of the crisis, lined up with the Henleinists, met to-day and decided fully to support the Government for the defence of the common Fatherland. It urged all its members to join the colours.

The German official news agency states that all railway traffic to Czechoslovakia has been stopped because of the Czechs detaining German railway and customs officials. Germany has similarly detained Czech officials until the Germans are released. Trial black-outs carried out in Prague and Brno proved that the air-raid precautions -were •well organised. All officials and workmen have been ordered to keep their gasmasks handy. Most of the telephones have been cut or interrupted, apparently in German territory, between Prague and Rome, Vienna, and Berne. The Czechs threaten to cut the German lines to the Near East if communications are not restored.

the Presidential Palace, and the oaths of allegiance were taken. Dr. Benes thanked Dr. Hodzaand the Cabinet members for their faithful work in a critical period. The official . Czech agency announces that Dr. Hodza has suggested the inclusion of Slovak representatives to complete the new Government. This will be done as early as. possible. Tne Czech mobilisation order requisitions all horses, motor-cars and aeroplanes. The mobilisation proclamation was broadcast from all stations, at 10.40 p.m. in Czech, German, Hungarian, Slovak, Rutheniari, and Polish. At the finish it stated: "Citizens keep calm, remain faithful and reliable. Your struggle is one for justice and your Fatherland., Long live free Czechoslovakia." -..-•"•.

At dawn yesterday 1,000,000 Czech .soldiers were standing'to their arms on the Czech frontier." Developments were awaited.

Both Czechs and Germans, report numerous frontier incidents. The driver of a motor-car in southern Moravia, when asked to show his papers, drew a revolver on the soldiers, who fired, killing him. It was then discovered that he was.a Henleinite leader, named Hartl. The official news agency at Berlin alleges that Czech artillery units shelled the road on the German side of the frontier near Leopoldschlag, causing the inhabitants-hurriedly to evacuate to Hammern. Czech aeroplanes flew over the same district. The burgomaster of Freistadt, a neighbouring town, says he was unaware of the shelling of Leopoldschlag and Hammern. A. message from Selb says firing continued intermittently throughout the day between Czechs and the Free Corps from Meulbach to Asch. The Germans allege that the Czechs are attempting to prevent Sudeten refugees and reservists from escaping to Germany. The Sudeten Executive at Asch ordered farmers to begin milling, to ensure sufficient food, and have taken other precautions, suggesting that they are preparing for a siege. A Vienna message says many Czech troops are reported to be moving towards the frontier. Roads Barricaded The Sudeten leader in Asch told the British United Press that the Sudetens were in full control there, and said the Czechs did not resist because they were-unable to defend the Asch district. Reuter's reports that Czech authorities backed by troops, resumed control of other towns previously taken over by the Henleinists. A Sudeten report from Rumburg says the Czechs were deterred from attacking it by a threat to shoot 600 Czech hostages. Herr Henlein issued a proclamation in Berlin, stating that Dr. Benes in a gamble had thrown his last card, and was leaning on a military Government, which was counter to the constitution. He added that no German in Czechoslovakia would obey the mobilisation order.

Galvanised to activity by the mobilisation order, which was posted throughout the city by midnight, crowds ran into the streets shouting the news. Men were seen everywhere carrying suitcases and hurrying to report or duty. All taxis were commandeered and "the buses and trams were packed. There was much cheering, but marry women stood in the streets weeping. Uniforms and arms are rapidly being distributed. The spirit of the people has suddenly risen after long days of anxious and dejected waiting. It is reported from the country that peasants are commandeering horses and riding' 10 to 15 miles to the nearest garrisons. Various Classes Called Up . The mobilisation - broadcast announces the calling up of: (1) Active reserve officers and non-commissioned officers under 40. (2) Various classes of reservists, even if they are. over 40. (3) All those on furlough. The mobilised units must carry two days' food and personal equipment. All are granted free travel. A radio message from Prague announced that the mobilisation had not only been approved, but welcomed by France and Britain. The air liner Heracles landed at Croydon at 11 p.m. from Prague. The passengers, who included 15 women, said that Prague. jmrns quiet when they left. Some BrxkMb subjects are remaining, but the. British Consulate has arranged for:-them-to leave if necessary.

At Asch, Rumberg and Warnsdor, 21 Czech soldiers and officials are reported to have been killed, 45 have been injured and 41 taken prisoner for the week ended September 20. Free Corps reinforcements, after crossing the frontier in lorries at nighttime, reached Haslau, four miles from Oberlohma, outside Franzenbad and barricaded the roads in preparation for checking the Czech troops approaching Franzenbad for the reoccupation of Sudetenland.

Sudetens also attacked a Czech school at Nikolsburg with hand grenades and machine-guns, while in a fight between Czechs and Sudetens at Freiwaldau four were killed and 12 wounded.

One hundred and twenty lorryloads of troops have left Prague in the direction of Carlsbad.

Czechs shot three Sudetens at Hablakadrau, and CSech police shot five Sudetens at Zeidler.

A low-flying aeroplane dropped leaflets signed by the Czech Prime Minister stating:— "In this vital hour, I appeal to you to stay at your posts, the soldiers by their arms, the farmers by their ploughs, the workers in the factory, and the employees in their offices. While the army is the Republic's security, it can carry out its duties only if the nation calmly and unanimously supports it. Let your work for the State prove your determination. Further demonstrations can only serve our enemies." A high Nazi official said that the whole situation had changed as the result of the appointment of a "Red" General as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia. Consequently Germany would not tolerate such a menace. Well-informed quarters state that anything may be expected. General Syrovy presented the new members of Cabinet to Dr. Benes at

Dr. Benes, in a proclamation this morning, said: "Enemy propaganda here and abroad is trying to undermine the nation's confidence in the authorities and create unrest and opposition. This is a difficult moment for the nation, which naturally has turned ti- the army for strength and organisation, for which every one has made sacrifices. Every true citizen sees in the army his protection and the nation's salvation. The army will deserve this confidence. It will stand, immovable, by the Government's decisions and -will remain firm against all disruptive activities and menaces against the State no matter whence they come. Its firm discipline will be a guarantee of the Government's and the nation's confidence. The army must be filled with absolute confidence and devotion to carry out every order promptly and sure in the knowledge thpt opedien'6e the nation's safety."

Spasmodic fighting throughout the night occurred on the German-Czech frontier. It was sporadic in nature, not representing, a concerted move by the troop& on either side. 4 As a result of skirmishes, the main body of Czechs withdrew from Haslau to Tirschnitz, and is concentrating on the suburbs of Eger, -which the Czechs now again control. One of 17 Czech police who were captured and taken across the frontier escaped to Czechoslovakia. Germans took over the Customs House at Bressnitz, after capturing 10 policemen and eight soldiers. Sudetens attacked the Custom* guard at Liebenau, shot the commandant, and took the officials prisoner.