AUSTRIAN CHANGES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 11

AUSTRIAN CHANGES

Schuschnigg Virtual Dictator NEW CABINET FORMED Starhemberg No Longer In Government By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received May 14, 7.30 p.m.) London, May 14. Dr. Schuschnigg, Chancellor ot Austria, has announced that Cabinet has been reconstructed. Dr. Schuschnigg now holds the posts of Chancellor, Foreign Minister and Minister oi National Defence. The vicc-Chaneel-lor is Major Baar Barenfels. Prince Starhemberg, the former Vice-Chan-cellor and leader of the Heimwehr, is no longer in the Cabinet. It is semiofficially stated that the object of the reaonstruction is the “strengthening of forces ready to build up an independent Austria.” It is understood that the Cabinet crisis was precipitated by Prince Starhemberg’s telegram to Signor Mussolini on May 13. The Vienna correspondent of “The Times” says that last Sunday’s events when Prince Starhemberg’s Fascist Heimwehr men demonstrated against the Freedom League, which include--Dr. Sehuschnigg’s supporters, also contributed toward the Cabinet crisis. Dr. Schuschnigg, after a lengthy confer ence with. President Miklas, tendered the Government’s resignation and was immediately charged to form a new one, with a free hand in its composition. In addition to his Ministerial posts Dr, Schuschnigg has taken over from Prince Starhemberg the command of , the Fatherland Front. There are now only three Heimwehr supporters in Cabinet. Other Ministers are mainly members oi the Catholic Party. The reconstruction is thus a severe defeat for Prince Starhemberg, who is no longer a member of the Government. Austria is now under a virtual Schuschnigg dictatorship. Dr. Sehuschnigg’s victory is interpreted in London as a decisive set-back to Nazism and Fascism. The presence of several Heimwehr Ministers in the new Cabinet is taken as final evidence that Prince Starhemberg is discredited, even among his own followers. Dr. Schuschnigg is now in a stronger position among his own followers than any Chancellor since the war, not excepting Dr. Dollfuss. Dr. Schuschnigg cabled to Signor Mussolini stating that he was not changing Austrian foreign policy, and that he was determined to maintain the policy of the Rome Protocol and improve the interests of the three partners thereto. Well-informed quarters at Berlin arc displeased at events in Austria, and fear an intensification of the campaign against Nazi-propaganda. Herr Hitler is at present considering the situation. France is pleased for the same reasons as Germany is displeased. Prinoe S-tarhemberg sent, the following telegram to Signor Mussolini: “In consciousness of Fascist solidarity I congratulate you in the name of all who are fighting for the Fascist ideal in Austria on the glorious and magnificent victory gained by the Italian Fascist armies over barbarism, on the victory of the Fascist spirit over democratic dishonestly and cowardice and on the victory of the Fascist selfsacrificing spirit and disciplined determination over demagogicmendacity. Long live the clear-sighted leader of glorious Fascist Italy.” Prince Starhemberg was to visit Rome on Maj- 17 tor a football niatcHj between Austria and Italy. Political circles at Rome were said to attach the greatest importance to the visit.