Serious Disturbances In Slovakia Reported

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1949, Page 5

Serious Disturbances In Slovakia Reported

PRAG-UE, July 1. The rift between the Catholics and the Government appears to be widening and serious disturbances are reported from Slovakia. Jn Prague the Primate of Czechoslovakia (Archbishop Josef Peran) is staging a virtual "sit down strike" in iiis Palace, refusing Government suggestions that he leave for a holiday. In Cadea, in Slovakia, a Communisl leader was beaten up by the Catholics after a storv circulated that the local Communists had fired at a cross in a public shrine. The people first gatliered in the centre of the town where they angrily demonstrated against the action. The Communist leader tried to cairn them but was cliased into the home of a priest. When he finally left the sanctuary the people set upon him and beat him so badly that it is uneertain whether he will Hve. Reinforced police brought the town under control, but, according to an e.ve-witness, the population in many districts is extremely restless. The Associated Press Prague correspondent says that while unconfirmed nimours swept Prague that Dr. Antonin .Mandle, th& first jirominent Catholic arrested in the Communist Government 's war against the church, had died in prison as a result of police maltreatment sinee his arrest three weeks ago, a higli chureh authority said today that Dr. Mandl was in very bad shape in the prison hospital. Dr. Mandl, secretary of the church 's secular Catholic. action, was seized after a group of pro-Govcrnment Catholics organised "anti-capitalist" Catholic action as a rival church group. Government sourees refuse eoxnment on Dr. IMandl's condition. The Assoieated Press correspondent savs that although the situation now 1 seems .qaiet on the surface it is believed that small pattisan bands of Catholics have been formed to resist i the Communists. The Government is restricting travel in Slovakia. t The Czecli Foreign Office today accused the Vatican representative in , Prague (Monsignor Gennaro Verolino) of grave interference in the internal aifairs of Czechoslovalda. The charge was made in the Foreign Office 's reply to a protest by Monsignor Verolino at "undiplomatie treatment-" . while he was on a tour of Slovakia, ! which is strongly Catholic. The For- ! eign Office claimed that IMonsignor , Verolino had made an unauthorised tour of Slovakia. It stated: "His tour in the present . circumstances is regarded as a demon- • stration against our Government, and a grave interference in the internal i affiaii's of our State."