Stranica 3 [3]
oA vecember 52
= page three =
with the Carpathe-Ukranian evolution - to repress any possible
national reactione
The number of reports received in the last few weeks on that specific
angle of the Slovak situation, all enlighten again and again three
basic facts which reveal the true Moscow aim:
1. Early in October, a trial was held in Kosice (Eastern Slovakia)
against eight so-called terrorists. these men were accused of having
organized in Eastern Slovakia a "White Legion". Directéd and helped
by a foreign power, they were said to have set up and armed anti=
communists units, responsible for frequent and recent attempts against
key industries and railroad constwuctions in the areag, They were
accused also for having helped farmers in opposing the establishment
of rural collectivities. Hux This trial is mf likely to produce
far-reaching consequences. For the first time indeed, communist
authopities speak about the existence of armed groups in Slovakia,
of sabotage in strategic centers and of open revolts against the
kolkhose system. This is not only the admission of actual difficultie:
existing in Slovakia. It is also a threat of future and whole-sale
repressions e Most alarming rumors circulate already, people knowing
what has happenéd to the Ruthens and fearing similar events to oceur
in the Sobrance-Kosice area, Such rumors are only increased by the
fact that units of Czech Secret State Police are senh into akkxkiw
important Slovak centers. There they replace all the Army and Police
units, recru&éted in Slovakia; these in turn are sent to Bohemia.
These. movements are reported especially from Novy Zamky, Nitra,
Trnava, Zvolen and other centers in Western and Central Slovakia.
It could not be retraced as ye& whether, in Eastern Slowakia, these
replacements are made by Czech or by Russian Secret Police, In any
case, reports are unanimous to state that the new units¢g are much more
important than the previous ones ever had been.
2e Rumors circulate all through Slovakia as to impending large-scale
dppottations. Basis for these rumars have been the plans worked out
in Prague for the development of a new and huge industry in Slovakia.
According to official sources, this project would require an additiona:
350.000 labor force; the bulk of which will have to come from rural
arease It is feared that in the nest few weeks new regulations and
police actions will take place, forcing thousands of Slovak farmers
into these new industrial kombinats. Official statements threatening
peasants, who oppose collectivization, are increasingly frequente Hint:
as to further repressions are unmistakable.
In Eastern Slovakia, moreover, see pee have been spread, saying ©
that Moscow had ordered the preparation ithe deportation to the Mast
of entire groups of Slovak and liagyar=speaking populations living on
the strategic line, especially in and around Kosicee Our informants
report of news heard that a fitst sugk action would involve about 60
thousand people = that is more than the entire population of the city
of Kosicee. This first deportation would be followed soon by further
similar movements.
3e More details could now be obtained on a news already disclosed
in a previous dispatch, viz.the presence of Asiatic settlers in Easter
AO.