AUSTRIA SEEN IN HER DEATH STRUGGLE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

AUSTRIA SEEN IN HER DEATH STRUGGLE

Two Impressive Statements Of Facts

“The Last Five Hours of Austria,” by Eugene Lennhoff (London: Rich an'd Cowan) ; “Thus Died Austria, by Oswald Dutch (London; Arnold).

Although it Is probably too soon after the everit accurately to assess blame or responsibility in what may well turn out to be one of the greatest tragedies that ever liefell European civilisation, it is not too soon to give a clear and accurate statement of the events that led up to and took place during that tragedy. And that is the purpose of these books: to give, as far as is/humanly possibly, an accurate, impartial account of the Nazi invasion of Austria. ~ , Eugene Lennhoff was editor of tho Vienna newspaper "Telegraf,” and was present in the capital right up to the last moments of Austria’s death struggle, before escaping to Czechoslovakia. The name Oswald Dutch conceals the identity of an extremely experienced observer of Austrian affairs, and one who was in close touch with the leading public men of the country. He remained in Vienna some time after the Nazi occupation. These two men were both, in tneir different spheres, fully qualified to know what was going on and why. Consequently anyone who is curious enough to find out the facts about a period of European history which has probably never been equalled for the hypocrisy, double-dealing and brutality shown by one sovereign State to another, ought to reSd either one or both of these books. March, 1938, was a critical month for Europe. In that month the long series of Nazi outrages; the underground and overt attempts to under mine the Austrian Government; and the campaign of blackmail, lies and intimidation, all either directed and organised by Hitler personally or by his own lieutenants, came to a head in a series of dramatic Incidents, all of which were the direct or indirect sequel to the murder of Chancellor Dolfuss in July, 1934, by the Nazi putchists. It began with Schuschnigg's being summoned by Hitler to meet him for a conference at Berchtesgaden last February. The events at that conference shed new light on the post-war era of mailed-fist, politics. Then came Schnuschnigg’s decision to bold a plebiscite in order that the Austrian people might decide whether they wanted to be governed from their own capital or from Berlin. That sealed the fate of Austria. Hitler knew that, if ever a plebiscite was held, he would have to give up all hopes of ever getting hold of Austria, for, as everybody knew, both inside and outside the country, the Nazis never at any time constituted more than a vociferous minority in Austria. The plebiscite had to be stopped. And so a series of ultimatums were delivered by special messengers from Hitler in Vienna, giving the Chancellor the choice between calling it off or facing a German invasion.

This part of Schuschnigg’s struggle makes dramatic reading. He telephoned to Mussolini, his “friend,” for advice. Mussoloni was away and could not be brought to the telephone. He telephoned Paris. But there was no Government in France at the time to answer the call. He sought advice from London. But in London Herr von Ribbentrop, newly-appointed German Foreign Minister, was in conference with Mr. Chamberlain, an'd Baron Franckenstein, the Austrian Minister, was unable at that decisive moment to see any responsible, member of the British Cabinet. Schuschnigg resigned at 7.30 p.m. on March 11, and half an hour later he was the prisoner of the new Nazi Government. The rest of the story everybody knows. For several weeks Vienna was the scene ot wild orgies of organised Nazi brutality. Thousands were imprisoned or sent to concentration camps. An enormous number of statesmen, Jews and ordinary citizens committed suicide. Tn short, the Nazis were in power. To some these two books should be an eye-opener of the depths to which international relations have sunk in Europe. To others they will be confirmation of whaf they already know. But the important aspect of both rhe books is that they are not expressions of opinion. They are statements of facts.