Evening star., 1939-08-19

By the Associated Press
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Aug. 10
The German Army frightened its
"protective' grip on Slovakia today
with measures described by a
Bratislava radio announcement last
night as military possession"
German troops were deployed
along the Polish -Slovak frontiers
for at least 100 miles-a far greater
zone than that fixed by treaty last
March when Germany guaranteed
Slovakia's independence for %
years.
Gn Berlin it could not be con-
flrmed that Germany had taken
military possession" of Slovakla,
but quarters close to the foreign
Office indicated there had been
no change in German recognition
OF Slovak sovereignty These
quarters said developments in
Slovakia were following the
course mapped out when the
country arranged for and re-
ceived German protection.'D
Troop Moves Reported.
Soldiers of the Reich were re-
ported moving in large numbers
through the high Tatras, the noun
famous stronghold of Northeast Slo-
vakia. which is regarded by military
w., hool InN, to
land.
Tens of thousands Of German
troops were observed in the vicinity
OF Zilina near the northwest termi-
nation of the Polish frontier.
Bratislava, the capital. at the
southwest tip of Slovakia, apparent
ly remained under formal Slovak
authority. but the rich Vag valley
and the northern border land admit
tedly were controlled by the Ger
man military command.
German troops are pouring
into Slovakia in preparation for
an imminent attack on Poland,
the Chicago Daily News reported
from Berlin. Official quarters
there fatty denied the reports.
but they persisted nevertheless
Bratislava Disturbed.
Slovak radio listeners were stun
ned last night when an English
speaking voice, with reassurlng
tones, announced from the Bratls-
lava station:
Owing to the existing situation.
Germany has taken military pos
session of Slovakia'
This action was taken for Slo-
vakia' S protection" the announcer
added.
Bratislava was Swamped with dis
uuieting reports. Townsfolk anx-
iously sought to learn if the German
garrison would be transferred across
the Danube and military rule in
augurated
Travellers from the north told of
Arava being turned into a virtual
German encampment and of Zilina
citizens prepared to evacuate their
homes at the first hint of war
War Head Offers to Quit.
It was learned authoritatively
that Gen. Ferdinand Csatlos. Slo-
vakias No. soldier offered to
resign as minister of war last week
end rather than compy with Ger
man suggestion that he send two
divisions of his little army of 10000
to the Polish frontier. Other men,
bers of the National Council, how
ever, persuaded him to keep his
post.
A defense agreement" which was
ratified yesterday between Slovakia
and Germany was described in re-
liable quarters as placing this little
republics armed forces under out
right German domination.
Ghetto Is Raided Again.
incidentally, today's German mi
nority newspaper proclaimed Brati-
slava's Jewish problem is more than
ripe"
Squads of police were sent to
Bratislava's ancient ghetto which
the German minority has invaded
three times this month to beat Jews
and destroy property.
The German minority newspaper
Grenzbote said in a front page edi-
torial, 1T is only right that the Jews
be quickly and thoroughly punished
this time for their evil provocations. 1"
The last census gave 10000 Jews
in Bratislava.
German EncircIement
Chnrnod hv D3i~I