AUSTRIAN CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 9

AUSTRIAN CRISIS

Further Concessions To Hitler COMPLETE SURRENDER Schuschnigg Terrified By German Threats By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, February 17. Reports have been received in diplomatic circles from Berlin that an offer by Dr. Inquart, the new Nazi Minister of the Interior in Austria, of additional concessions has been accepted by Herr Hitler and that settlement of the crisis seems assured at al price tantamount to Austria’s complete surrender, states the Vienna correspondent of the British United Press. An authentic account of the interview between Herr Hitler and Dr. Schuschnigg, reveals that Herr Hitler shouted and gesticulated, terrifying Dr. Schuschnigg, who every few minutes was confronted with German generals thrusting maps on the table showing where guns were placed on the Austrian frontier, states the Australian Associated Press. A Vienna message states that 510 political prisoners have been released. Each hag signed a statement promising not to indulge in terrorism. It is believed that Herr Hitler insists on the dismissal of Dr. Kienbock, Go- \ veruor of the Austrian National Bank, who is Opposed to Austria’s participation in Germany’s four years’ plan. After a meeting with Her r Hitler, Dr. Inquart had a long conversation with Herr Himmler, Chief of Police, states a Berlin message. One of the earliest steps toward the Nazification of Austria is expected to fie the incorporation of illegal storm troops within the Austrian patriotic front. The Berlin correspondent of the "Dally Mail’’ includes in Austria’s fresh concessions to Germany an agreement to Nazify the Fatherland Front and ban Monarchist activities. The Vienna correspondent of the British United Press states that the_ Christian Socialists, Dr. Schuschnigg’s strongest supporters, declare that there is no occasion for Austria to leave the League. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times” considers this question must arise. The Vienna correspondent of the “Daily Mail” conjectures that she must do so, so that an Austro-Ger-man military alliance will be concluded, and that Dr. Schuschnigg will reshuffle the general staff. Dr. Schuschnigg is to address the Federal Council on February 24.

ITALY APPROVES “Policy Of Understanding And Peace” Rome, February 17. An official statement declares: "Events in Austria have offered a certain part of the international Press occasion for absurd comments on Italy’s attitude toward consequences of the political situation in Europe. “Responsible 1 Italian circles regard the decision of Dr. Schuschnigg as a natural development in Austro-German relations as laid down in the agreement of July, 1936, on the basis of mutual and sincere collaboration, which is regarded with open favour by the Italian Government as heralding the beginning of a new era of pacification of two peoples profoundly linked by race, language, and common culture. "It is absurd, like certain French circles imagine, for Austrian independence to have a permanent antl-German Character. It is to Italy’s merit that she fully understood the meaning of the 1936 accord, which precisely stated that Austria is a German State and should logically lead to understanding between Austria and Germany. The Fascist Government has always considered that cordial collaboration between the two German States responds to reality and the essential interests of peace and tranquillity in Central Europe. Italy supports in full the agreement and Dr. Schuschnigg’s courageous work, which earn him the sympathy of all who really favour a policy of understanding and peace.”