Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Czechs Oust Slovak Premier, Attack Hlinka Guards; Anti-jewish Riots Reported

March 12, 1939
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Slovak Premier Joseph Tiso was ousted and interned today, hundreds of Slovak extremist Hlinka Guardsmen were arrested and sent to Moravia, and a new provisional Government of the autonomous province was set up by Czecho Slovak President Emil Hacha. While maintaining in radio broadcasts that Slovak autonomy would continue to be respected, the central Government sent motorized army units to Bratislava and other Slovak centers and cut short negotiations which had started here yesterday.

(According to the Associated Press, anti-Czech and anti-Jewish demonstrations were reported in Slovakia Thursday night. At Malacka the demonstrations were said to have developed into attacks on Jewish shops. In other Slovak cities they were confined to street displays.)

(Late reports reaching Vienna said Hlinka guards, whose organization has been banned by Praha, were reported besieged in the Zivnostenka Bank building in Bratislava and holding out against Czecho-Slovak gendarmery.)

Nazi Germany was understood to be watching these developments with a calmness inspired by the fact that the Slovak separatists are friendly with Hungary and Poland.

In what amounts to a coup d’etat President Hacha also caused the arrest of the Slovak extremist propagandists Dr. Vojtech Tuka and Sano Mach, former propaganda chief in Slovakia. The Government was convinced that under pressure from these men the ousted Premier, Joseph Tiso, was preparing to proclaim Slovakia as a free and independent state. The members of the provisional Slovak Government are all men well known for their devotion to Slovak autonomy.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement