The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-03-14
COMMENT ON WORLD
EVENTS

of Czechoslovakia, under Nazi rule?
Plenty, the International Federation
of Trade Unions reports.
"In Germany" the IFTU says, call
the workers live under constant press
ure and suffer the most unprecedent-
ed violation of the most elementary
rights of man. In the case of the
Czech workers, there is also the natl
onal oppression in addition"
The IFTU goes on to give the fol-
lowing illuminating account of the
Steady Nazi drive against Czech ma
tional life, both in the Sudetan frontier
areas and in the protectorate of Bo
hemia, part of the former Czechoslo-
vakian republic:
"Despite Hitler's assurance that he
did not want single Czech, he never
theless, Immediately after the Munich
agreement, annexed more than 1,2O0,-
COO Czechs in the frontier districts.
The overwhelming majority of the
population in this district is composed
Of workers, especially textile, glass,
land and timber workers. These
Czech workers, especially those in the
Reichenberg district, were, from the
trade union, cultural and political
points of view, among the most pro-
gressive workers in the whole Of
former Austria Hungary"
x x X
Disregarding his promises, Hitler
has robbed these Czech workers of all
their political and national rights, the
IFTU says, adding:
"Czech schools and Cultural institu-
tions have been closed down, and
teachers and officials thrown into con-
centration camps, where they are ter
ribly treated and even killed. The
izations have been dissolved and their
funds confiscated. The 'germaniza-
ton of the Czechs in this area is be-
ing ruthlessly carried out.
"In the Protectorate, the Czech
workers are suffering the same fate as
the others, in the national and cul-
tural fields. The attempt is being made
to germanize them through the au-
thorities and the schools, and this at
tempt even extends to the economic
and social spheres.
"In many places, the workers are
driven out from the better-paid posi-
tions, and replaced by Nazis. Czech
workers are transported to Germany,
where they have to perform the most
strenuous work, while their places are
taken by Germans supporters of their
regime.
X X X
"Czech local government authorities
which were at high level, have been
deprived Of all their rights, and the
universities are suffering persecution.
The universities in which the children
of Czech workers studied have been
closed down, and the students are con-
stantly harried, many having been
thrown into prison or concentration
camps.
"This national and cultural oppres-
sion applies to all sections of the Czech
people, but it affects the workers in
particular.
"The Czech workers have also lost
their political rights. All the we'll
known political leaders of the Czech
workers are today in concentration
camps or prison, or have been forced
to flee. Some have even been hor-
ribly done to death.
"The trade unions have been de-
prived of their rights. There are nc
longer negotiations with the workers
about wage questions. The Wages
and Labor Department Of the Nazi
Protecorate Office decides all such
matters. Commissioners have beer
appointed to the Czech co-operatives
The leader of the Czech Workers
Sports League is in prison."