GERMAN OCCUPATION COMPLETE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 9

GERMAN OCCUPATION COMPLETE

Hitler’s Threat To Bomb Prague Ruthlessly

RUTHENIA FALLS TO HUNGARY

Troops Reach Polish Frontier

By Telegraph.—Prc&s Assn.—-Copyright. (Received March 16, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 16. Reports from Central Europe today indicate that the whole of Bohemia and Moravia (what was formerly the Czech part of the Czechoslovak Republic) are now in German hands. German troops entering from the south have contacted those entering from the north. It is officially announced in Berlin that, following the occupation of the capital by German troops yesterday, Herr Hitler entered Prague at 7.45 p.ni. and took up residence in the Hradzin Palace. This morning Herr Hitler received Dr. Hacha, President of the Czech Republic. The Prague coriespondent of “The Times” says that the Fuehrer adopted a ruthless attitude. There was no discussion on terms, but Dr. Hacha received the German demands in the form of an ultimatum. He was told that, failing acceptance, Prague would be bombed immediately and ruthlessly. It is stated that the Vienna award (redefining the frontiers of Czechoslovakia after the cession of Sudeten areas to Germany) has been superseded, and that therefore Germany has no objection to the incorporation of Ruthenia in Hungary. Messages from the south report that Hungarian troops have occupied more than half Ruthenia, most of the opposition having been disarmed. Bad weather hinders the march, but Hungarian troops have already reached the Polish frontier. Czech troops, including 50 officers, retreating before Hungarians, crossed the Polish frontier where they were disarmed.

The Hungarian commander-in-chief refused General Prchala’s request for five days’ grace for the evacuation of Czechs, and demanded that the Czechs surrender their arms immediately. M. Volosin, the Premier, replied to the ultimatum by announcing that he was sending a delegation to Budapest and asked that military movements cease meanwhile, but the troops were ordered to continue the advance. General Prcliala lias informed Budapest that lie has proclaimed the Czech army in Kuthenia an integral part of the German army. It is reliably stated that bitter fighting took place in Ruthenia, Czechs and Ukrainian Nationalists being engaged against Hungarians. Bucharest reports that the western and northwestern frontiers are being strengthened and artillery is being brought up to the Ruthenlan frontier. STRUGGLE TO FREEDOM Dr. Benes’ Call To Czechs And Slovaks (Received March 16, 10.50 p.nfi) CHICAGO, March 15. Dr. Benes, formerly President of Czechoslovakia issued a statement calling on the Czechs and Slovaks to struggle to freedom again. “A new and shocking international crime has been committed,” he said. “It is one of the deeds through which Europe is deprived and is going' to be deprived in the future of peace, order and tranquillity “The struggle for the freedom of the individual has always won out against brute force and oppression, and it will not be any different with today’s brute force and oppression. "A free Europe will be built up again, and therein free Czechs and Slovaks shall live.” FUTILITY OF POLICY OF APPEASEMENT

London Press Urges More Defence Measures (Independent Cable Service.) (Received March 16, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Marcli 16. Commenting on the Czech situation today, the “Daily Herald” says: "Let us face facts. We can meet a threat of force only by an intensification of our own measures for security and a determined policy of co-operation with France, Russia, and the United States of America against the common danger to those principles of international justice and peace to which we all adhere.” The “News Chronicle” says: “The present climax shows the utter futility of Mr. Chamberlain’s policy toward Germany. Every sane person desires to see international differences settled by discussion instead of force, but it is surely plain that Mr. Chamberlain's policy of retreating before an aggressor merely encourages him to further acts of aggression.”

SLOVAKS WELCOME GERMAN TROOPS

Hlinka Guards Ordered To Submit BRATISLAVA, March 15. Members of the Slovak Government and military authorities officially welcomed the German troops on their arrival today. The political chief of the Hlinka Guards ordered the Guards to submit and to assist the Germans. The Prime Minister, Dr. Tiso, in a broadcast, said that the remnants of the former Government must be removed without bloodshed. Those Czechs who were no longer required would be placed at the disposal of Prague. He added that he would not tolerate hatred and persecution either of the Czechs or Jews. The Government had dealt with the Jewish question in legislation which had not yet been submitted to the Diet, but the position would be regularized shortly. It is officially stated that M. Sidor (Premier appointed by Dr. Hacha) has resigned and gone on four weeks’ leave, from which he is not expected to return. GERMAN TROOPS RESENTED (Received March 17, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON. March 16. The Bratislava correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says that the Government has made representations to Germany about the presence of German troops in Slovakia, which is regarded as incompatible with the Slovak State’s sovereignty.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS IN BERLIN Placed On Rooftops BERLIN, March 15. Anti-aircraft guns were placed on the roofs of buildings in the centre of Berlin this morning. It is stated that they are for the celebration of air force day on March 18. A suggestion that bombing raids are feared by Czech pilots running amuck is denied. Field-Marshal Goering has decreed that no aeroplanes except those of the Reich Air Force are to Uy west of a line drawn between Bratislava and Maerlscho-Ostrau. Large areas of Germany are also closed to all planes except those of the air force. All travel in and out of Bohemia and Moravia is forbidden indefinitely. CZECHS FLY TO LONDON IN SPECIAL PLANE

LONDON, March 15.

A special aeroplane from Prague landed 11 Czechs at Croydon Aerodrome today. Their identity was hushed up, leading to the belief that they were prominent members of the Cabinet, but the Czech Legation stated that no members of the Government .were in the party.