MARTIAL LAW MAY BE PROCLAIMED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 11

MARTIAL LAW MAY BE PROCLAIMED

ftazi Leaders Order Followers Not To Vote In Plebiscite By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received March 11, 8.10 p.m.) Vienna, Marell 11. The whole city of Vienna at midnight was still covered with demonstrators. Serious clashes occurred in several districts. Two people were stabbed and a policeman dragged from his horse and assaulted. Police charged with sabres and arrested the culprit. Cars were held up, their windows smashed and occupants abused, because they were presumed to be Jews. Nazis invaded the Jewish quarter and assaulted a number of Jews. , . All police reserves have been called out. and it is expected mat martial law will be proclaimed to-day. The Government has emphasised that everyone is free to vote in secrecy if desired. . f The authorities refused to allow Dr. Seyss Inquart, Minister ot the Interior, to broadcast regarding the plebiscite, on the ground that no useful purpose could be served. Herr Hitler sent a special envoy, Herr Keppler, Attorney ot the Chancellor of Economic Affairs, who conferred with Dr. Inquart tor several hours and returned to Berlin. . In the meantime the Nazi leaders have sent a protest to President Miklas stating that they consider the plebiscite illegal and have ordered their followers to abstain from voting. Government circles reply that the Nazi decision does not alter the situation. , Conferences of Nazis were held, and several hundred Nazis late in the afternoon attempted to storm the building containing the Fatherland Front offices, and smashed a door and a number of windows before they were dispersed by police. Nazi crowds rioted elsewhere and mounted police were called out. . A message from Graz states that the Nazis are making bonhreo of all Fatherland Front literature, and parading, through the streets shouting “Down with Schuschnigg. Our Fuehrer is Hitler.” Nazi extremists threaten to wreck the plebiscite by ‘ bloody disorders on March 13 which will force Herr Hitler to march to restore peace.” . . . . . Sixty lorry-loads of troops and police were sent last night to Styria, where "the situation is regarded as very serious. ihirty thousand Nazis took possession of the streets of Graz for six hours, many being injured.