WORST FEARED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1939, Page 5

WORST FEARED

NAZI REIGN OF TERROR IN KLADNO SEQUEL TO DEATH OF POLICEMAN REPRISALS AND SAVAGE THREATS. WHOLESALE ARRESTS MADE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON. June 10. Something' akin to a reign of terror is gripping Kladno, where the Nazis have instituted reprisals following the killing of Wilheiin Kneist. a German policeman, says the Prague correspondent of the British United Press. The Czechs fear the worst. Only those who can prove they are going to work are allowed in the streets between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. An official statement declares all will instantly be shot who know but do not reveal the identity of the murderer of Kneist. Meanwhile, Kneist has been elevated to the status of a Nazi martyr. Reuter’s Prague correspondent says a partial reconstruction of the Czech Government is likely as a sequel to the murder, but rumours of resignation are described as premature.

The Czech Premier, M Elias, called on the Secretary of State for Bohemia and Moravia, Herr Frank, and expressed his regrets on behalf of Kladno. He promised to do everything in his power to arrest Kneist’s murderers.

It is reported that a young Czech nurse voluntarily surrendered to the police in connection with the murder, but the Kladno police deny this. The Reich Protector, Baron von Neurath, is said to have suspended punitive measures.

A Czech policeman was shot dead as the result of a clash between Germans and Czech police in Nachod. All those involved have been arrested. Another report states that unknown persons fired at two German policemen in Nachod. Neither was hurt.

The police authorities are offering a reward of £220 for a clue leading to the arrest of the murderer of Kneist. The Kladno district is most concerned over the retaliatory measures inflicted upon the city. German troops are patrolling in pairs and occasionally carry out their threats to shoot through open windows. The arrests include the Czech chief of police, M Bek, the mayor, M Franz Pawel, 100 Czech police, and 80 civilians. “IMPRESSING THE CZECHS.” GERMAN TROOP MOVEMENTS. WARSAW, June 10. The Peasant Party news agency reports important German troop movements near Silesian Teschen, which Poland acquired after Munich. The Germans are hectically fortifying the frontier. The moves are regarded as an attempt to impress the Czechs with Germany's' strength.