FRONTIER FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1938, Page 5

FRONTIER FIGHTING

• HENLEIN VOLUNTEERS RAID CUSTOMS POSTS BEATEN OFF BY CZECH TROOPS GRENADES AND MACHINE-GUNS USED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 20. It is officially stated that Czech troops occupied trenches at some points on the German frontier after four attacks by the Henlein Volunteer Corps at night < time. The assailants attacked the Customs House at Neusorge, near • Braunau, and the defenders replied with hand-grenades. Reinforcements arrived, and the attackers withdrew, but they resumed the assault an hour later, and again ■were expelled. They carried off their casualties. Six Czech customs officials and two soldiers were wounded. The Volunteer Corps, with hand-grenades and machine-guns, twice attacked and set fire to the Customs House at Oberkleinarpa, near Earchendorf, but were repulsed. Two Czechs were wounded. The new districts under martial law are the scene of these attacks. ANOTHER ATTACK MADE BY NINE SUDETEN DESERTERS CZECH KILLED AND OTHERS TAKEN PRISONER (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) PRAGUE, September 20. Nine Sudeten deserters from the Czech army attacked and set fire to the frontier customs house at Trautencau. Thev threw a hand-grenade among its occupants, killing one Czech, and took another prisoner, also a gendarme, who allegedly, had fired on refugees. GERMAN REPORT ALLEGAIIONS OF AGGRESSION BY CZECHS FIRING ON VILLAGE IN EARLY MORNING LONDON, September 20. The official Germany news agency states that several hundred Czech soldiers armed with mach-ine-guns attempted to cross the German frontier today and-kidnap Sudeten refugees from the camp at Seidendorf. It is alleged that they fired on the village in the early morning but were driven off by German border patrols. It is reported that 17 Germans were injured. Reuters’ Berlin correspondent reports that while officials were preparing for Herr Hitler’s talks with Mr Chamberlain, precautions were being taken to maintain the First Army Corps at its autumn manoeuvres strength in the event of a warlike development. FRENCH POLICY WILL STAND BY CZECHS IN EVENT OF GERMAN ATTACK LONDON, September 20. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” states that M Daladier, the French Premier, was asked pointi blank at the Cabinet meeting today whether, in the event of a Czech refusal of the ! proposals, France would bow before a German attack on her ally. M Daladier replied, “No.” Another Minister, asked whether he had informed Prague that neither Britain nor France would stand by Czechoslovakia if the proposals were refused, M Daladier again said, “No,” but added that no more friendly pressure would be exercised on Prague. Nevertheless, it is clear that the Government is pressing Prague to accept the terms. Mme Tabouis, in “I’Oeuvre,” says that Prague’s reply will not be categorical and that the Government wants time. Probably Parliament will be convoked and a conference between Britain, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia held. DESERTERS PURSUED FIRED ON BY CZECHS ON GERMAN TERRITORY (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN, September 20. The German news agency reports that Sudeten deserters from the Czech army crossed the frontier to Germany at Krondstaddt, after an exchange of shots. The Czechs fired on the Sudeten fugitives, after they had reached German territory at Waldenburg. “PROUD TO BE FEARED” i MUSSOLINI ON FASCIST ITALY < 1 “LIKE A ROCK OF GRANITE” i « 1 (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) i UDINE, September 20. 1 Signor Mussolini arrived from Groiz- I ia, where he said there was a ray of 1 light on the horizon, but he will make 1 no pronouncement until the curtain < has fallen on all acts of the drama, , which Italy is prepared tp- face. , After comparing Italy now with her position in 1922, he said:“We are proud to be feared. The world must learn to understand that the new Fascist. warlike Italy, is now like a rock of granite.” SOVIET ATTITUDE READY TO HONOUR TREATY POLICY IF FRANCE DOES NOT ? FIGHT ' 3 (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) " LONDON, September 20. 0 The Geneva correspondent of the British United Press says it is authori- a tatively learned that Russia will ad- Jhere to the Czech-Russian treaty, bind- t ing the Soviet to intervene only if a France assists the Czechs, but it is believed that if France does not fight, P the Soviet will give the Czechs unoffi- c cial aid, similar to that given to Spain s and China. in

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

« MEETING . OF WAIRARAPA BOARD. ? RETURN OF PATIENTS. e The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, presided at the monthly meeting of - the Wairarapa Hospital Board, held - this morning. Others present were: r Messrs F. E. Bolton, I. McLeod, W. = Britland, W. I. Armstrong, W. Thomas, f C. T. Richardson, A. Forsberg, Trevor s Beetham, W. B. Martin, Arch Clark, ■ D. McGregor, F. Court, Mesdames J. Robertson, S. Fletcher, and Misses H. Card and C. McKenny. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. F. Thompson. The return of patients for August at the institutions controlled by the board was as follows, the figures for the corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses:— Masterton Hospital: In hospital on July 31, 122 (140); admitted during August, 134 (143); total under treatment, 256 (283); discharged, 130 (133); remaining in hospital on August 31, 126 (150); daily average, 127.64 (143.35). Greytown Hospital: In hospital on July 31, 19 (9); admitted during August, 46 (29); total under treatment, 65 (38); discharged, 37 (27); remaining in hospital, 28 (11); daily average, 21.11 '■ (9.7.) There were 58 inmates in the Buch- ■ anan Home at the end of August as • compared with 49 at the corresponding ’ date last year. : Pahiatua Hospital: In hospital on ' July 31, 18 (21); admitted during Aug- ■ ust, 35 (33); total under treatment,’ 53 ; (54); discharged, 35 (31); remaining 1 in hospital on August 31, 18 (35); daily average, 20.1 (22). 1 The Matron of the Greytown Hos- ' pital reported nine major and ten minor operations were performed by • the Superintendent during the month. The ambulance answered fifteen calls and covered a distance of 452 miles. It had been a worrying month owing to sickness amongst the staff and the difficulty of obtaining relievers. Even though only urgent cases were admitted owing to a shortage of staff, on account of the epidemic of influenza with pneumonia or bronchitis, the hospital had been kept very busy. The Matron of the Pahiatua Hospital stated that members of the Terrace End Salvation Army rendered a programme of band music at the hospital on August 20. This was much appreciated. The band was later entertained by the nursing staff at afternoon tea. Reporting on the financial position of the board for the period, April 1 to August 31, the Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, said that expenditure was in excess of receipts to the extent of £2,747 7s 3d. Patients’ fees collected amounted to £4,708, as compared with £3,911 for the corresponding period of last year. The collections were £261 lower than the esti- . mate, but it was anticipated that the J fees would aggregate the amount es- , timated by the end' of September. ' Local contributing authorities’ levies for maintenance and Government subsidy received at August 31, totalled ’ £l7,bzs. The amount outstanding was £ £997. -f