BORDER CROSSED

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 9

BORDER CROSSED

HITLER'S ULTIMATUM SCHUSCHNIGG CRUSHED "INDESCRIBABLE CONFUSION" (United Press Association.—Copy right.-,-Ree. 2 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. After a day of indescribable nervous tension, Dr. Schuschnigg s Austria collapsed to-night under Germany s ruthless threat of force. German troops had already mobilised on the frontier when Dr. Schuschnigg received Herr Hitler's ultimatum demanding a postponement of the plebiscite concerning Austria's future. Dr. Schuschnigg agreed on the condition that the Nazis in the future refrained from disturbing order in Austria, but this was not enough to satisfy Hitler, whose reply was a demand for Dr. Schuschnigg s resignation. Hitler also demanded that two-thirds of the Cabinet should be handed over to the Nazis and that the Nazis throughout Austria should be unrestricted in their liberty. Hours of breathless uncertainty followed, while a mass of conflicting reports sped across Europe. Evening brought the sensational announcement that the plebiscite had been postponed, but a more dramatic moment was still to come. Soon after 7.30 p.m., which was the time limit for the ultimatum, Dr. Schuschnigg, without preliminary warning, addressed the nation by radio, announcing his submission to force and his resignation. Immediately after Dr. Schuschnigg's announcement the Nazis, who had been told Hitler would not allow the referendum, and if necessary would march in to prevent it, swarmed the streets in thousands and took possession of the city. The next big event came 8.15, when Dr. Inquart announced over the radio that the German Army was on the way to Vienna.

"The Times'* Vienna correspondent states that an official with an Austrian voice, speaking from the Chancery, said the course of the afternoon's historical events was that Germanyfirst asked for guarantees that voting on the plebiscite would be secret. This was conceded. The next demand was for a postponement of the plebiscite. This was also conceded. Then General Goering transmitted orders to Dr. Inquart that the retirement of Dr. Schuschnigg, two-thirds of the seats in Cabinet and the admission of an Austrian legion to support the Austrian executive forces in maintaining order was demanded. There was no doubt, the official said, that the plebiscite would be yielded, a substantial majority being in favour of Dr. Schuschnigg's Government. This was the real reason of the Nazi antagonism. The arrangements made showed that the vote would be perfectly fair, and if the Nazis had a majority in Austria they could have shown it at this poll. "Independent Austria;" as it has been understood during the last five years, is dead. For the Nazis a day of complete triumph has come. For the Government's supporters events to-day are shattering.