Communists Directed In North America Through Soviet Satellite Consulates

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1948, Page 5

Communists Directed In North America Through Soviet Satellite Consulates

MONTREAL, March 30. Dr. Joseph Kotrly, the former Czechoslovakian Consul-General in Montreal, who has resigned, said today that the Russian satellite Goyernments in Europe were using their diplomatic offices in Canada to direct the Communist forces in North America. Dr. Kotrly resigned in protest against the Communist combination in Czechoslovakia. He stated that his Consulate was converted into a relay post for Communist literature, films and other propaganda, and he was threatened by Canadian Communists when he opposed this policy. Dr. Kotrly said the propaganda was sent from Prague through diplomatic mail and diplomatic couriers to the Labour Progressive (Communist) Organisation in Canada. He was called on to issue Czechoslovakian passports to persons whose only recommendation was by Tim Buck, the national Labour Progressive Orrganisation leader in Canada.

Dr. Kotrly stated that Cyprian Slimak, a Canadian citizen, then secretary of the Communist-controlled Independent Mutual Benefit Association, acted as Communist leader under direct Cominform orders. Slimak, now editor of the Communist newspaper “Pravda” in his native Bratislava, was appointed shortly after the Gottwald Government seized control of Czechoslovakia.

U.N.O. INQUIRY ON > COUP IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

PRAGUE, March 30.

The Czech Foreign Minister has announced that Czechoslovakia’s United Nation’s delegate would not appear before the U.N.O. Security Council to discuss the Chilean com plaint against Czechoslovakia. The Ministry added that Czechoslovakia refused to be placed in the position of defendant or even an alleged victim. MASARYK'S DEATH

PRAGUE. March- 30. The Czech Ministry of Information said that documentary proof concerning M. Jan Masaryk’s death would be provided soon. The Ministry alleged that some foreign press reports of his death bcfc’dered on ‘cynical ghoulishness.’