FEVERISH ACTIVITY IN PREPARATION

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

FEVERISH ACTIVITY IN PREPARATION

Elaborate Precautions Against Riots BELLIGERENT ATTITUDE OF NAZIS Vienna, March 10. To-day has been one of feverish activity in Government circles preparing for the plebiscite. Over a million “Yes” ballot papers have already been printed. They bear the question, “Do you stand for a free and German Austria, an independnt Austria, and a Christian United Austria—freedom in the land and equality for all?” Contrary to the first announcements, special "No” papers are being printed. Events are taking a sinister turn after an official announcement by Herr Hugo Jury, deputy for Dr. Inquart, Minister of the Interior, that Nazis would be ordered to abstain from voting in the plebiscite throughout Austria on March 13.

Herr Jury said: “We are resolved to adhere to the Berchtesgaden agreement, but we are not prepared to manifest our resolve in this form. lhe whole way in which the plebiscite has been arranged can be characterised only by an expression which I prefer not to use. It is being done behind Cabinet’s back. The manner of polling enables the individual to vote several times and gives the officers of the Fatherland Front unrestricted control of the poll.” Elaborate precautions are being taken to prevent disorders, which are seriously feared. The Nazis are already adopting a belligerent attitude and openly broadcasting that they will prevent the poll by force.