ARMS DISPUTE IN AUSTRIA.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20790, 25 February 1933, Page 15

ARMS DISPUTE IN AUSTRIA.

$ DEFEATING THE LAW. RAILWAY DIRECTOR DISMISSED. IUKHED FKESB ASSOCIATION —Bt CLEffmc TIiMSO»ArB—OOPTOOBT-i (Received February 24, 7.20 p.m.) VIENNA, February 23. It is officially announced that Dr. j geefehlner, General Director of State Railways, has been dismissed for endeavouring to transport a shipment of anus to their destination in Austria contrary' to the Government's intentions. It is alleged that Dr. Seefehlner cfiered trade union leaders £SOOO. to sgreo to transport the arms to Hungary labelled "empty waggons," while empties, narked "arrnu," wp.re aout to Italy. The trade union , leader informed the Social Democrat party leaders, who notified the Chancellor. ITALY SATISFIED. STANDPOINT ACCEPTED. ROME, February '23. Sir John Simon's statement, (on the shipment of Italian arms to Austria) satisfies Italy because the incident is closed. It is 'claimed that Great Britain accepted the Italian standpoint. The episode • clearly shows • the importance that France and Italy attach to British support. Much of the Italian resentment was due to _ the fear of a united Anglo-French front. [ln the House of Commons on February 21 Sir John Simon said: "The Italian Ambassador (Signor Dino Grandi) saw me yesterday about arms racentlv sept from _an Italian consignor to two Austrian factories. He informed me that the Italian Government, for its part, was prepared to agree that the arms in _ question, which were sent to Austria for the purpose of being reconditioned, should be gent bwk to Italy as soon as possible after the fulfilment of the contract for reconditioning. The Ambassador informed me that some of the arms had already been,sent back to Italy, and it is understood the return of the remainder Fill bo evidenced in due course by Customs certificates or the Austrian authorities. British Government, for its part, hopes the question can be- considered closed by the general acceptance of this proposal."]

BRITISH ATTITUDE. NO NEED FOB ACTlON(British omcui- wimiw.) RUGBY, February 23. Sir. Jobc .Simon (Foreign Secretary), questioned in the House of Commons regarding reports alleging that 32 milii tary aeroplanes were recently flown over Italy to Hungary, and there taken to pieces*and hidden, replied that he had seen these statements, of which a semiofficial denial had been issued by the Hungarian Government. In this < instance, therefore, he did not consider any special potion was called for on the part of .the British Government. ' k ' : ( ■"