AUSTRIAN SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 197, 18 May 1936, Page 9

AUSTRIAN SITUATION

Starhemberg’s Message To Followers PLANS OF HEIMWEHR Cabinet Crisis Likely To Result By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright (Received May 17, 7.30 p.m.) Vienna, May 16. Prince Starhemberg, leader of the Heimwehr, who has just been dropped from Dr Sehuschnigg’s Cabinet, has sent a message to his followers: “Hold fast and in strict discipline remain united and loyal. Long live the Heimwehr and Austria.” The message is regarded as a reply to the intended disbandment and an attempt to reassure Heimwehr members who are restless owing to Prince Starhemberg’s deposition. Heimwenr leaders, under tbe chairmanship of Major Baarenfels, second In command, who also succeeded Prince Starhemherg as Vice-Chancellor, telegraphed to Prince Starhemberg promising unshakeable allegiance, absolute obedience and unity. Various local Heimwehr members have sent similar messages to Prince Starhemberg. It is believed that the leaders . decided to become a “legal opposition," which will probably result in a Cabinet crisis as Major Baarenfels is also Minister of the Interior and should be Dr. Sehuschnigg’s most important collaborator in the disarmament of the Heimwehr which, however, is now regarded as unlikely without Prince Starhemberg’s orders. A new decree provides that Austrian police maj’ in wartime be drafted into the army. It is believed that it is intended to remedy the Army’s weakness pending conscription. Police are at present being trained in the use of armoured cars, wireless, machine-guns, gas attacks and hand grenades. The Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg. formally took over the leadership of the Fatherland Front, in the presence of delegates of semi-military organisations. He expressed appreciation of Prince Starhemberg’s services, but pointed out that any form of dualist Government would lead to friction and delay. The working classes would be adequately represented in the Fatherland Front, which would not inquire about past political affiliations. Tie announced th e disarmament of the Heimwehr, which Prince Starhemberg recently declared he would permit only over his corpse, by announcing that there must be no armed formations, apart from the volunteer militia. Foreign policy, he said, would be unchanged. Prince Starhemberg would be placed at the head of the organisation for the protection of mothers, so his name would be permanently associated with patriotic work. DUCE’S MESSAGE TO SCHUSCHNIGG Meeting With Starhemberg (Received May 17, 7.30 p.m.) Rome, May 16. Signor Mussolini has telegraphed to Dr. Schuschnigg welcoming his declaration that the new Austrian Cabinet: would stand firmly by the Rome protocols between Austria, Hungary and Italy. He added, “Sincerest wishes for a continuance of the success of your work.” Signor Mussolini had a two-hour conference with Prince Starhemberg, and is believed to have discussed Prince Sehuschnigg’s dismissal of the latter and the apparent defeat of Fascism. Prince Starhemberg also conferred with Herr Fritz Mandi, head of tbe big Austrian munitions firm and a powerful supporter of the Heimwehr and other friends, whom he is report ed to have told that he intended to fight to the last to prevent the disarmament of the Heimwehr.