SLOVAK HOPES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1939, Page 6

SLOVAK HOPES

CENTURY-OLD AMBITION FULFILLED

TISO APPEALS FOR ORDER AND DISCIPLINE. RELIANCE ON GERMANY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) BRATISLAVA, March 14. The Premier, Dr Tiso, after proclaiming the independence of Slovakia, said: “The Government includes the best range of the Slovak people, who, in this historic hour, have fulfilled their century-old ambitions. Keep order and discipline and prove yourselves worthy of the happier future to which we hope to lead you. We hope that hard-won independence will be preserved, and that developments will be peaceful. We desire to live in amity with all our neighbours.” While the police controlled enormous crowds, the Diet held a secret extraordinary session and appointed the following Cabinet: — Prime Minister, Dr Tiso. Deputy Prime Minister, M. Tuca.

Minister of the Interior, M. Sidor. Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Durcansky. Minister of War, M. Csatlos. Minister of Propaganda, M. Mach. Minister of Education, M. Sivak. Minister of Finance, M. Pruchinsky. Minister of Justice, M. Fritz. Minister of Communications, M. Stand.

After M. Sidor had explained why he had resigned the provisional Premiership, Dr Tiso, reporting on his visit to Berlin, said: “If the Slovaks abide by the principle's of racial determination, Germany will support them If not, it will be so much the worse for the Slovaks.”

M. Sidor, after three sleepless nights, collapsed at the end of the session of the Diet.

Czech troops are withdrawing from Bratislava and other districts. It is officially announced that the Czech and Slovak nations wirelessly farewelled one another. NEW DISPENSATION FRIENDLY PARTING MESSAGE FROM CZECHS. GOOD WISHES OFFERED. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) PRAGUE, ‘ March 16. An official communique states:— “Today the legal Czechoslovak Union disappears, and each begins a separate existence. The Czechs never showed unfriendly feeling towards the Slovaks, and hope their independence will be happy and successful, and that Slovakia will be able to create all the necessary economic conditions to supply her needs. We shall always remember our friendly associa-

tion. The new dispensation cannot divide the hearts of the people, who Have held together for twenty years.

President Hacha and the Foreign Minister, M. Chvalkovsky have gone to Berlin to see Herr Hitler, after which the Prague Cabinet may be reconstructed.

M. Durcansky’s Slovak Free Corps, formed in Germany, has entered Slovakia. Fugitive Czechs and Jews congest the Bratislava station. Hlinka guards are searching Jews on the roads for jewellery. RUN ON BANKS CHECKED.' (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) BRATISLAVA, March 14. A run on all the banks was checked by a decree limiting withdrawals to 500 crowns. GERMAN TROOPS TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ON BORDER. CZECH TERRITORY ENTERED. (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) PRAGUE, March 14. It is officially announced that, German troops have occupied Moravska and Ostrava, and advanced to Mistek. A Vienna message states that troops began moving at 5 p.m. along the Znaimbrunn Road. It is estimated that 200,000 troops are concentrated near the Czechoslovak border. HUNGARIAN ADVANCE (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) WARSAW, March 14. The Hungarian Legation states that troops advanced across Ruthenia within miles of the Polish frontier, and are resuming their advance tomorrow. NO AGGRESSION QUESTION OF THE BRITISH GUARANTEE. MR CHAMBERLAIN EXPLAINS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day 11.25 a.m.) RUGBY, March 14. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain), replying to a question by Mr C. R. Attlee (Leader of the Opposition), with reference to the proposed guarantee to Cechoslovakia, reminded Mr Attlee that it was to have been a guarantee against unprovoked aggression, and no such aggression had yet taken place. Mr Chamberlain described as an altogether unwarranted asumption a suggestion by Mr Attlee that the Government was now entirely without interest in Czechoslovakia.

ACCEPTED BV CZECHS HUNGARIAN ULTIMATUM. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) PRAGUE, March 14. All the terms of the Hungarian ultimatum, demanding the release of prisoners and the evacuation of Ruthenia, have been' accepted. ACTION IN RUTHENIA INDEPENDENCE DECLARED. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) CHUST, March 14. Ruthenia has declared her.independence and the Government has been reconstructed provisionally. M. Volosin remains Premier and M. Julian Revay, who was dismissed from office by the Prague Government, becomes Foreign Minister.

GERMAN DENIAL CZECH TOWNS NOT OCCUPIED. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) BERLIN, March 14. The occupation of Moravska and Ostrava is officially denied.

ANOTHER DENIAL GERMAN 1913 RESERVES NOT CALLED UP. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) BERLIN. March 14. The calling up of the 1913 reserves is denied. President Hacha and M. Chvalkovsky were received ceremonially and saw Herr Hitler tonight. RUTHENIA’S FUTURE MEETING OF THE DIET. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) CHUST (Ruthenia), March 14. It is officially stated that the Ruthenian Diet will be convened tomorrow afternoon to decide Ruthenia’s future. MINISTER DISMISSED. WITHDRAWAL OF CZECH TROOPS. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) PRAGUE, March 14. General Prchala, Minister of the Interior in Ruthenia, has been relieved of office. The Central Government has ordered Czech ' troops to withdraw from Ruthenia. | ORDERS TO 'WOMEN. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) VIENNA, March 14. Women are receiving mobilisation orders: “On the first day of any general mobilisation, you are to report at a given address.”