BATTLE IN RUTHENIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1939, Page 5

BATTLE IN RUTHENIA

RESISTANCE TO HUNGARIANS STIFFENING DECLARATION BY FORMER PREMIER. “THE GERMANS BETRAYED US.” LONDON, March 19. Ruthenian resistance to the Hungarians is stiffening in the mountains, says a report from Budapest. A desperate battle is in progress near Perecsesy, north of Chust. A Bucharest message says Rumania has rejected Ruthenia’s proposal for her incorporation with Rumania. M. Prchala and Dr Perovusnik have abandoned the organisation of Ruthenian resistance and fled to Poland.

Hungarian troops have reached the border of Poland at Tatarhago. The Hungarians secured all the Ruthenian archives left in the car of the former Premier of Ruthenia, M. Volosin, when he fled the country. The Rumanian Cabinet and the General Staff, with King Carol presiding, decided to amplify the defence measures as required. Nine thousand refugees entered Rumania from Ruthenia. They declare the Hungarian guards shot dead Dr Cocerham. the former Ruthenian Secretary of State, and Dr Slavacek, public prosecutor in the Sevlus district.

The newspaper “Romania” declares that 70 Czech soldiers were wounded fighting against the Ruthenian guards. The report adds that the Hungarians, though aided by planes, are encountering great difficulty and have not occupied Chust. M Volosin, said in an interview: “The Germans betrayed us. They advised us not to resist, so we handed over our country, but the population is still resisting. One member of the Cabinet, M Brascalkov, has gone to Budapest to negotiate for autonomy. If he is unsuccessful M Volosin and the other members of the Cabinet will probably go to Yugoslavia. M Volosin telephoned to Berlin and asked Germany to use her influence with Hungary to grant autonomy in Carpatho-Ukraine. BRITISH CABINET COMINGS AND GOINGS AT NO. 10. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WATCHING (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 19: Hundreds of people are watching the comings and goings at No. 10 Downing Street. Callers in the morning included Viscount Halifax, Sir Alexander Cadogan, Sir Kingsley Wood, Mr Oliver Stanley, Lord Chatfield,, Sir Thomas Inskip, and Earl Stanhope, who conferred with Mr Neville Chamberlain for an hour. In the afternoon Lord Londonderry returned by air from Copenhagen. Sir Nevile Henderson and the Russian Ambassador to London, M. Ivan Maisky, separately saw Lord Halifax. There is no sign of a British Cabinet split. MINISTERS KEEP TOUCH. MR CHAMBERLAIN RECEIVED BY KING. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 19. Mr Chamberlain and leading members of the Cabinet remained in London in order to keep in touch- with developments arising. out of the grave European crisis and their Majesties, the King and Queen, in the afternoon returned from Windsor. Less than an hour after their Majesties’ arrival Mr Chamberlain was received by the King. The Central European situation will be-the subject of a House of Commons statement tomorrow, when a number of questions concerning the matter will be asked Mr Chamberlain. The subject will be debated in the House of Lords when Viscount Halifax will contribute an important speech. THE WAR OFFICE CANCELLATION OF STAFF RECALLS. SITUATION CONSIDERED EASIER. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. The Central News Agency reports that arrangements made last night foi certain members of the War Office staff to report for duty today have been cancelled as the situation is considered easier.

UNDER NAZI RULE

CHANGES IN BOHEMIA & MORAVIA MANY SUICIDES REPORTED. THREAT OF TEN THOUSAND ARRESTS. LONDON, March 19. Herr von Neurath has been appointed Reich Protector in Bohemia and Moravia. General Goering has created a new command, including Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Sudetenland, and Silesia, with headquarters in Vienna. The Prague correspondent of "The Times” states that M Beran’s Cabinet has been confirmed as the Government of the Czech Protectorate under General Blaskowitz. Dr Hacha declared that neither Mr Gaida nor any other Fascist leader was entitled to negotiate with the Germans. The Fascists’ manifestoes were invalid.

It is reported, but not confirmed, that 250 Czech officers have committed suicide. Jewish suicides are apparently numerous. Well-informed people in Berlin estimate that 10.000 arrests have been made in Bohemia and Moravia. Herr Himmler, leader of the German Black Shirts declare: “We have 10,000 arrests to make. President Hacha, in a broadcast, described the defunct republic as “only a short episode in our history.” He added that Herr Hitler had received him with full honours.