FRONTIER CLOSED

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 205, 31 August 1933, Page 7

FRONTIER CLOSED

AUSTRIAN ACTION. Troops Rushed Up to Capture Escaped Nazi. RAID ON GAOL SUCCEEDS. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, August' 30. The Austrian authorities have closed the Italo-Tyrolese frontier, whither hundreds of troops have been sent in the hope of intercepting Hcrr Hofer, the Nazi leader. Pretending that they were bringing another prisoner, several disguised Austrian Nazis entered the cell of Franz Hofer, in the Innsbruck gaol, and released him after stunning two warders. All escaped to a waiting car. They were pursued by policemen, who fired several shots and wounded one passenger. The Nazis then proceeded on foot, apparently attempting to reach Italy by unfrequented mountain passes. The alarm was given throughout tlio Tyrol. Seventy Nazis have been arrested as hostages. Father Stoecker was sentenced at. Dortmund to 16 months' imprisonment for abusing Herr Hitler from the pulpit. Tlio alleged offence occurred before the concordat between Germany and the Vatican. As the result of a formal diplomatic protest, the Czecho-Slovakian, named Weber, an alleged smuggler who was seized by three Germans on Swiss territory on Monday and brutally treated, has been released. He was returned to the Swiss authorities, who may demand punishment on the perpetrators and redress.