SLOVAK CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1939, Page 7

SLOVAK CRISIS

TERRITORY COMPLETELY CUT OFF GERMAN STORM TROOPERS IN BRATISLAVA. PREDICTION OF DECISIVE HOUR. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON. March 13. Tension is growing in Bratislava following the abortive Slovakian attempt to establish an independent State over the weekend. Slovakia was cut off from Austria at midnight when gendarmes closed all the Danube bridges to prevent arms coming in from Austria. It is now impossible to enter or leave Slovakia. German Storm Troopers arrived at Bratislava today from nearby towns in full uniform and carrying arms and ammunition. It is reported that 50 small .bombs were thrown at houses in Bratislava. Armoured cars are patrolling the streets. The Prague correspondent of “The Times” says Dr Tiso, the former Slovak" Premier whose dismissal, with twc other Ministers, by the President, Dr Hacha, precipitated the crisis, and 230 imprisoned Slovak leaders have been released. It is also stated that M. Tuca and M. Mach, the two leaders of the Slovak Hlinka Guards, whose imprisonment created a storm of protest, have been brought respectively to Tabor and Brno. The official German news agency, however, claims that the Czechs assassinated M. Tuca while transferring him to Moravia.

The Prague correspondent of “The Times” says Dr Tiso, the former Slovak leader, made a further wireless appeal to the Slovaks to resist the Prague Government and 'prophesied that a decisive hour was approaching. Meanwhile in Prague the Slovak Ministers in the new Cabinet appointed under the Premiership of M. Sidor have been sworn in. President Hacha has postponed the Parliamentary session from March 14 to March 28.

“MINOR INCIDENTS” COLOURLESS,STAI EMENT IN COMMONS. MR CHAMBERLAIN DETAILS REPORTS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.12 a.m.) RUGBY, March 13. The following statement on Slovakia was made by Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons:— ■ " , “On March 10 it was announced in Prague that President Hacha had dismissed from office Dr Tiso and other members of his ( Government on the ground that certain factors in the Slovak Government had not been showing sufficient resistance to subversive activities, and that the federal interests of the State were thereby threatened. On March 11 the new Slovak Government was appointed under the Premiership of M. Sidor. According to cur reports only minor incidents have occurred in Bratislava during the last few days and the situation there appears to be outwardly calm.’’ TALK OF INDEPENDENCE UNDER HITLER’S PROTECTION. DR. TISO INVITED TO BERLIN. ' (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) PRAGUE. March 13. Dr. Tiso. the former Slovak Premier, has left for Berlin at Hen* Hitler’s express invitation. The new Slovak Premier, M. Sidor, has postponed the conference with the Central Government owing to increased tension. The Czechoslovak Cabinet will discuss the situation later today. M. Sidor conferred with Dr. Tiso and M. Mach, who are pro-German, without result. M. Murjos, political chief of the Hlinka Guard, accused M. Sidor of betraying an independent Slovakia and sought freedom from his oath oi loyalty. M. Sidor refused and M. Murjos went to Vienna, whence he broadcast to Hlinka. supporters, suggesting an independent Slovakia, under Herr Hitler’s protection, and advising them to prepare for a life and death struggle. M. Durcanski. broadcasting from Vienna, said: "The historic mission ol Slovakia is to be a bridge between Germany and the East. The moment for a decision is near.” The Czech Minister at Berlin has been instructed to protest against the German Press campaign and the use of the Vienna radio for the transmission of mutinous and treasonable'speeches. HITLER ON WATCH DEPARTURE FROM BERLIN DELAYED. FURIOUS PRESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CZECHS. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN. March 13. As a result, it is believed, of the Slovakian situation, Herr Hitler has postponed his scheduled departure for the anschluss anniversary celebrations. Well-informed circles state that Herr Hitler has decided to intervene in. Slovakia, but no indication of the form the intervention is likely to take has been given. Meanwhile official quarters insist that troop movements in Austria are concerned only with the anschluss celebrations. The German Press atrocity campaign is reaching a crescendo, the papers citing incidents of brutality and tyranny with which Czech terrorists are spilling innocent German blood.