Trial of the Major War Criminals before International Military Tribunal ...

fleeing from the ceded areas, were exposed to all sorts of humilia-.
tion, robbery, ill-treatment and even to assassination.
K. H. FRANK, interrogated by Colonel Dr. B. ECER on the 30th
May 1945 at Wiesbaden, stated that the Czechs in the ceded areas
had no legal right of their own language, i. e. to deal in their mother
tongue with authorities and lawcourts. They were not granted
political rights. Asked whether safeguarding of life arid property
was guaranteed to these Czechs, FRANK answered: "I do not know.."
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(bb) I n the other areas of the Republic.
The influence of undemocratic elements increased and various
restrictions and prohibitions cut democratic rights and liberties. The
press e.g. was, via facti, subjected to German censorship, though not
yet exercised openly.
(b) After the Invasion of March 15th, 1939.
Protection of family rights and honour, of individual life and
personal freedom, of rights of property was abolished. A terroristic
r6,gime of Gestapo was set up. (Details see Section V.)
(3) Suppression of the Free Press.
(a) After Munich.
(aa) I n the areas ceded to Germany.
In the ceded areas, with a stroke, the total suppression of the
free press and its complete Nazification took place.
(bb). In the Other Areas of the Republic.
The Czech press, although apparently still free, was actually put
under the control of German censorship.
(b) After the Invasion of March 15th, 1939.
On the day of the German occupation Herr von GREGORY,
former press attache to the G,erman Legation in Prague, became
master of the Czech press. He established a three-fold censorship of
the Czech press. In every editorial office a Czech speaking German
was appointed "house censor". The censor had to read every word
which went to the printer-even in advertisements-and had to
endorse the orders which flowed in a steady stream from GRE-
GORY'S office. Article were written in the Protector's press office
and signed with the name of the editor in chief, or of the political
correspondent. They were to be printed without alteration. Editors