Hitler yesterday extended his ╥protection╙ to Slovakia. The Slovaks had declared their independence, in accordance with the German wishes, on Tuesday, but immediately afterwards German troops entered without consent. This led to Slovak protests. The only outcome of these protests is that German troops are extending the area occupied in Slovakia.
The seizure of Slovakia enables the Germans to outflank Poland in a serious manner. On Wednesday night the German Ambassador in Warsaw returned from an urgent visit to Berlin with the ╥definite assurances╙ that the German military action in Slovakia would be limited to a small district. The Poles were said to be satisfied. Within a few hours the ╥assurances╙ were worthless.
This development has caused alarm to the Poles and bitter disillusionment to the Slovaks.
BOHEMIA A CONCENTRATION CAMP
As for Bohemia, it has, in the words of our Central European correspondent, become one great concentration camp. From Prague it is reported that the Gestapo, the German Secret police, ╥have 10,000 arrests to carry out.╙ The work has already begun, and the Jews and the political opponents of National Socialism have no way of escape.
The future government of the ╥Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia╙ was outlined in a proclamation by Herr Hitler issued in Prague. The protectorate will have a head, but there will also be a Reich protector, representing Herr Hitler, and the real power will lie with him. The proclamation talks of the protectorate╒s having ╥sovereign rights,╙ but Germany, in fact, can veto measures ╥calculated to damage the Reich,╙ and can issue any decrees ╥necessary for the common interest.╙
No protest to Berlin has been made by the British Government, and Mr. Chamberlain was ╥unable to answer without notice╙ a question in the House of Commons yesterday whether a protest would be made. There was, however, a report in the Lobbies last night that the Government ╥may decide to register formally its disapproval of the method and manner of the German march into Czecho-Slovakia.╙ The British Ambassador in Berlin may be called home to report on the recent events.
