CZECH MASSACRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 23 November 1939, Page 5

CZECH MASSACRE

STUDENTS SHOT

THOUSANDS ARRESTED

COLD-WATER DOUCHES

CATHOLICS PERSECUTED

VATICAN INVESTIGATION

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 23, 9 a.m.) " LONDON, Nov. 22.

The Belgrade correspondent of the New York Times says that a neutral observer from Prague gave the following account of events in Prague.

“Three motorised columns of German State police converged on Prague on November IG. All students’ dormitories, both men and women, were broken into at 3 a.m. and, without being allowed to dress the students were tied together in threes and dragged away. The homes and lodgings of students were systematically searched. About 1000 were arrested. “Students, who resisted or parents who tried to shield their children, were immediately shot dead and left, or wounded and taken without medical attention. Children Taken “Later in the morning, the university lecture rooms were entered. Students and children alike were arrested. Several high schools were raided and boys and girls, aged 11 to IU, were arrested. “The university clinic was entered. All patients were expelled. Transport was provided only for those operated on during the previous night. “About 8000 prisoners were taken to tiie Ruzyn barracks and the Sparta football stadium, where they were drenched with cold water and left without food until the evening. Shot Before Comrades “Then, before the eyes of fellow students, 125 youths, beginning with the president of the Students' Association were shot dead. Next day the remainder were sent in trucks t» Germany. All Germans in Prague now armed.”

The Rome correspondent of The limes says that the recent disorder, in Bohemia have led to the renews of attacks against Roman Catholic:., whom the Nazis are -indiscriminately persecuting. They arrested tw„ priests and 40 laymen and charged them with communicating wit. Roman Catholics in countries hosth to Germany in order to foment di:. orders in Czechoslovakia The Vatican is seeking explanation in default of which, it wilt prote,. to Berlin.