PASS PEACEFULLY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 11

PASS PEACEFULLY

RIVAL DEMONSTRATIONS

OF AUSTRIAN FASCISTS AND SOCIALISTS

SHOCK TROOPS HELD IN READINESS

The rival demonstrations of Fascists and Socialists in Wiener, Neustadt passed off peacefully, thanks largely to the military precautions taken.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

Vienna, October 7.

Thanks largely to military precautions, the rival Fascist and Socialist demonstrations passed off peacefully. All entrances to Wiener Neustadt, except the main gates, were barricaded with barbed wire. Fifteen machineguns were posted in the principal square and shock troops, equipped with gas masks and grenades, held in readiness. Cavalry guarded the danger points. The Fascists started first at 9 o’clock. Thirteen thousand marched with 11 flags, 151 banners and 12 bands. Moderate crowds cheered the procession, which traversed the main square, saluting the leaders. The procession reached the place of assembly outside the town at 10.30. Simultaneously, about 16,000 Socialists, with country delegations totalling another 19,000, assembled in the square and sang and listened to speeches until 2 p.m. Thus the rivals were effectively kept apart. Both gatherings dispersed quietly. A downpour of rain at 3 p.m. damped any remaining ardour. Several Communists who attempted to address the Socialist crowd were arrested. Otherwise there was no incident

ORGANISATION OF RIVAL FORCES

DANGER TO AUSTRIA’S FUTURE

(“Times” Cables.)

(Rec. October 8, 7.5 p.m.)

London, October 7.

The Vienna correspondent of “The Times” says though the Viennese breathe a sigh of relief because the threatened storm has blown over, there is little cause for congratulation, seeing one-third of the Federal Army and two thousand police are garrisoned at Neustadt. Despite the warning of the July riots in 1927, nothing has been done to enforce internal disarmament. The Fascist organisation is at present better trained, disciplined and armed, and also more numerous, but the Socialists’ private army is becoming daily better organised and more militant. Every Austrian knows the harm thiis done to the country’s reputation abroad, but nobody attempts to stop the intolerable filibustering economic conditions. They mainly explain the creation and development of the Fascist army as a struggle for existence. The dangerously intense Fascist movement represents the conservative religious countrymen’s hatred of the city’s godless and predatory Reds.