Stranica 3 [3]
OCR
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.
