HITLER’S AIM

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 143, 14 March 1938, Page 9

HITLER’S AIM

Union of Austria And Germany? PLEBISCITE PLAN Fuehrer Broadcasts At Linz (Received Marell 13, 7.30 p.m.) London, March 12. Herr Hitler, broadcasting at Linz, declared his intention of holding a , plebiscite on the question of Aus-trian-German' union shortly, “when I hope my home province will show the world that German unity cannot be dissolved.” Herr Hitler, in the near future, as the result of the Nazi plebiscite, will become the Fuehrer of Greater Germany of two different German States, says the Vienna correspondent of the British United Press. Already Viennese radio stations are broadcasting Nazi programmes. All Jewish performers are banned throughout the country. Reports tell of Nazis displacing provincial tfnd mayors, some of whom have been placed under arrest in their houses. All youth organisations have been ordered to parade in the capital tonight with marching kits and rations. Inquart Asks For Troops. Some hours before German troops crossed the Austrian frontier it was officially announced in Berlin that Dr. Inquart had telegraphed Herr Hitler as follows: — “The Provisional Government, which, after the resignation of Dr. von Schuschnlgg’s Government, sees that its task is the restoration of peace and order in Austria, addresses to the German Government an urgent request to support it in the task and help preventing bloodshed. For this purpose it ' asks for the dispatch of German troops as early as possible." A Berlin message states that Hern Hitler’s decision to place the help 01 s the Reich at the disposal of the new Austrian Government was announced in a proclamation by the Fuehrer broadcast by Dr. Goebbels. He said :— "German armed forces will guarantee the Austrian people that they will soon be given an opportunity to mould their future fate through a genuine plebiscite. The Reich will not permit Germans to be persecuted and wants order and peace. I, therefore, decided to grant assistance and so dispatched troops. The world must be convinced that Germans in Austria are going through a period of joy and blissful emotion, and consider their brethren

who caine to their rescue as saviours in a time of most dire distress.” Dr. Goebbels, in an audience to the Press, denied that Dr. Inquart telegraphed asking for help. It appears in Berlin that Dr. Goebbels admitted that Dr. Inquart telegraphed asking for help. Germany is celebrating the Austrian triumph with processions and numerous dinners. A message from Linz states that Herr Hitler, entering Austria for the first time in a quarter of a century, made a triumphal progress throughout 60 miles of Northern Austria. At his birthplace, Braunau, he was greeted by 20,000 amid pealing church bells. The crowds were so great at many places that his car was forced to a walking pace. He was received in Linz by Dr. Inquart, who, in introducing him. announced:

“We declare Article 80 of the Peace Treaty no longer valid,” the reference being to an' article in the Versailles Treatv, providing that Germany will acknowledge and strictly respect Austrian independence