AUSTRIAN TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 21783, 27 July 1934, Page 9

AUSTRIAN TRAGEDY

Death of the Chancellor

NEW LEADER A MONARCHIST

Details of Nazi Plot Revealed

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

A Vienna message states that Dr Dollfuss, who was without medical aid, died from loss of blood four hours after the shooting. He

was unconscious for some time. SUCCESSOR TO DOLLFUSS i ■ HERR SGHUSGHNIGG LONDON, July 26. The ‘ Daily Mail ’ states that Herr Schuschnigg, the new leader of the Austrian Government, is a strong Monarchist and a prominent member of the Dollfuss Christian Social Party. He was Minister of Justice in the Buresch Cabinet in 1932 and a member of the Dollfuss Cabinet which succeeded it. Reports state that the provinces are quiet and order has been restored, except in Styria, where the insurrection is Steadily collapsing. CORRESPONDENT'S STORY TOLD BY AN EYE-WITNESS LONDON, July 26. Mr • G. E. R. Gadye, the ' Daily Telegraph’s ’ special Vienna correspond eht, cabled the following message from Bratislava: “ I left Vienna at 8 a.m. The Heimwehr were then being told officially that Dr Dollfuss was shot bo-

THE NAZI PLOT MINISTERS' STATEMENTS VIENNA, July 26. : When the broadcasting station resumed functioning yesterday afternoon Major Fey came to the microphone and descnorcl iic.v 1 •> l 'binct at 11.30 a.m. learned of the Nazi plot. “ The Cabinet meeting dispersed to take active measures, when suddenly what was apparently a detachment of police and army troops, numbering 144, entered bearing rifles and revolvers. They broke into the main room, whence Dr Dollfuss had already departed. They arrested Herr Karwinsky and myself, and hustled ns at the muzzles of revolvers to different rooms. At 2.30 p.m. I was taken to see Dr Dollfuss, who was w. ~a uuto ueath and lying on a sofa. He feebly besought me to take care of his wife and children, and asked me to inform the members of the Cabinet of his death and try to avoid bloodshed. I was then escorted back after calling a priest to administer the last sacraments Herr Karwinsky and myself spent agonising hours while Nazis armed with rifles threatened several times to kill us. Subsequently Neustadt-Sturmer. arrived at the Chancellery and secured permission to speak to me. I went to the balcony, and arranged to give the mutineers free' exit to Germany if they released us. This was done, and the rebels were placed in police vans and ordered to be liberated at Passau, on the German frontier.”

cause he drew a revolver when he was arrested. A woman living opposite the Ravag broadcasting station saw it all. She told mo that when a policeman at the door challenged a group of eight boys : they shot him dead. They also shot Herr Holt, the director, just inside. 1 was able to establish it as correct that only eight Nazi boys carried out this daring coup. Detachments of police and Hemiwehr arrived until there were 1,000 with machine guns. The defenders returned the fire with only au occasional revolver shot.” ANOTHER ACCOUNT VIENNA, July 26. Herr Adam, chief of the Austrian Propaganda Service, broadcast early this morning an account of how Dr Dollfuss died. He was retiring on the advice of his personal servants to the President’s room when the ringleaders of tlio conspiracy broke through the door and found him defenceless. One sprang forward and shot him twice, onco through the neck and once under the shoulder. Dr Dollfuss raised his hand to protect himself, twice called for help, and then fell. PRINCE STARHEMBERG GIVES ORDERS FROM VENICE. VENICE, July 26. Prince Starhemberg, who was forced to return here owing to a storm, held a council of war with officers at his hotel. He has ordered the mobilisation of 300,000 Schutzheimbund and is directing their operations from Venice It has been stated hero that forty Nazis have been executed in Vienna. HERR RINTELEN INVOLVED ARREST ANNOUNCED VIENNA, July. 26. Herr Rintelen (who was Austrian Minister in Rome), who is known to be a friend of the Nazis, has been arrested and detained by the War Ministry. COMMITS SUICIDE VIENNA, July 26. Herr Rintelen attempted to commit suicide, and was seriously wounded in the breast. It is generally believed that he was given a revolver to take his life. He left a note saying “I am innocent.” Later it was announced that Herr Rintelen was dead.

Herr Schuschnigg, who is thirty-nine years of age, followed Major Fey. He said: “This terrible day began with a lie, the broadcast announcer, with a revolver at his head, being compelled to state that the Government had resigned and Herr Rintelen had been appointed. The coup d’etat was planned long ago, and the rebels succeeded owing to their disguises. When the remainder of the members of the Cabinet learned the news the Per inanent Council met President Miklas and appointed me head of the Government.” Herr SohuscbnWt extolled Hr Dollfuss, and . declared that the coup d’etat had failed, and the Government would enforce the law with the utmost severity. Martial law and the curfew had already been imposed. Five minutes’ silence in memory of Dr Dollfuss followed the broadcasts.

NAZI REBELS ARRESTED VIENNA, July 26. The police announce that the Nazis, who raided the Chancellery have been impr.stv.ie; . -nd the guarantee of safe conduct to Germany as been withdrawn because they killed Dr Dollfuss, the offer of freedom being ditional on the Minister’s safety. The leader of the rebels was ex-Sergeant Holzwber; who for two years has been an Austrian Nazi leader. NAZIS KILLED IN THE FIGHTING VIENNA, July 26. At least a dozen Nazis were killed and many injured in fighting with Gov ernnient troops. The fighting was especially heavy at Judeiiburg. BODY LYING IN STATE LONDON, July 26. The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: “Three Nazis who are alleged to be responsible for Dr Doll fuss’s death have been segregated from their companions. Dr Dollfuss’s body lies in his Chancellery study shrouded in white, with the arms crossed on the breast and a crucifix between them. It is guarded by four soldiers of the Federal Army, With heads down and arms reversed. FRAU DOLLFUSS ROME, July 26. Tho wife of Herr Karwinsky, who is staying with Frau Dollfuss at Riccione, informed her of her husband’s death Frau Dollfuss and her children, ho are the guests of Signor Mussolini'? wife, sat in a villa with darkened inndows, awaiting news throughout the night. Frau Dollfuss will go to Vienna at dawn. An aeroplane has been 'acid at her disposal by the Italian Government. AUSTRIAN NAZIS LONDON, July 26. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Munich correspondent states: “ Rumours •are rife that Austrian Nazis exiled here are about to invade Austria. It has been reported that 3,000 Austrian Nazis under arms have received orders to

stand by. All the barracks are guarded by Austrians carrying rides and wearing steel helmets. The inhabitants on the route leading to the frontier report that there has been heavy traffic at dawn for several days. Whole caravans of army lorries tilled with Austrian Brown Shirts in full fighting kit have been moving towards Austria since Saturday.” FURTHER NAZI AGGRESSION LONDON, July 26 The Trieste correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that at Klagenfurt Nazis attacked members of the Heiniwehr, killing several. At Rackersburg Nazis occupied public buildings, and hoisted the Hitler Hag on tho local prison, and at Witz Nazis occupied the Styrian Governor’s office.—London ‘ Times Cable. GERMAN MINISTER RECALLED BERLIN, July 26. The German Minister in Austria has been recalled The official reason for the recall is that he consented -t the request of the Austrian Government and the rebels to an agreement drawn up between them regarding free conduct of rebels to Germany without consulting his Government. All the rebels will be arrested if they cross the frontier. HERR HITLER BERLIN, July 26. It has been announced that Herr Hitler is returning from Beyrouth immediately. Baron Von Neurath telegraphed the sympathy of the Government with the Austrian Government in the death of Dr Dollfuss. GERMANY'S INNOCENCE PRD' TESTED BERLIN, July 26. The newspapers protest Germany’s innocence, and insist that the events in Austria are purely domestic. MUSSOLINI’S ANNOUNCEMENT TURIN, July 26. Signor Mussolini sent a strongly worded telegram to Prince Stafhemberg emphasising Italy’s determination to defend Austrian independence “ s 4 11 more energetically in these difficult timOs.” ITALIAN TROOP MOVEMENTS ROME, July 26. Two Italian Army 'Corps are moving towards the Austro-Italian frontier fully equipped on a war basis. A third corps at Trieste has been ordered to prepare to advance to the frontier, whither 50,000 men are now converging. EXCITEMENT IN ITALY ROME, July 26. There is tremendous excitement here over the events in Austria. Tic newspapers that reflect Signor Mussolini’s views declare that the Austrian Nazi putsch aggravates Germany’s responsibility and will compel the other Powers to take precautions against complications. Signor Mussolini and Dr Dollfuss were to meet at Riccione on Friday. Signor Mussolini was pledged to support Dr Dollfuss, as Italy could not allow Austria to go Nazi and virtually under German control without imperilling her interests. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE DISCUSSED LONDON, July 26 The Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says: “ Some anxiety is felt about Britain’s attitude to the situa tion, which is described as tho mosi dangerous since July, 1914. It is being asked: First, will Britain adhere to the joint protest by Italy and Franco entailing a threat of sanctions against Germany if she persists in her present Austrian policy ? Secondly, will she take the line that to-day’s happenings are a purely internal matter? Thirdly, will she assume benevolent neutrality while Italy, France, and Czechoslovakia put the Austrian house in order? Italians are anxiously looking to Britain to help to save Europe from strife and bloodshed.” TRIBUTES TO DEAD CHANCELLOR LONDON, July 26. Tributes to Dr Dollfuss were broadcast by the 8.8. C. According to information from Vienna, the rebels con sisted of dismissed or superannuated Austrian soldiers. ORDER RESTORED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY VIENNA, July 26. (Received July 27, at 12.5 p.m.) Herr Rintelen is not dead. He merely fainted, and big condition is now an proving Order has been restored throughout Austria. The rebels evacuated Liezen, and have surrendered at Donawitz and Hadaussee. The railways are back to normal. DR DOLLFUSS'S LAST MOMENTS DOCTOR AND PRIEST REFUSED* VIENNA, July 26. (Received July 27, at 11 a.m.) Tho police on duty at the Chancellery yesterday state that the terrorist gang ( asked them at 1.45 whether they were

able to render first aid, and they were taken to Dr Dollfuss, who was unconscious and bleeding freely. “We asked tho leader of the gang to send for a doctor. He replied that nobody could leave tho house, and allowed us to put emergency bandages on the wounds in the right armpit and the left ear. Dr Dollfuss recovered consciousness and asked to bo taken to' the hospital, alternatively to have a doctor and a priest. His pleadings were of no avail. Dr Dollfuss, turning to us, said ; ‘ Children, you are good to me, thank you. Why are not the others the same? I’only wanted peace. May God forgive the ethers.’ His last words were: ‘ Give my love to ray wife and children. He , died at 3.45.” REBELS TO BE TRIED BY SPECIAL COURT MORE CLASHES WITH NAZIS VIENNA, July 26. ' (Received July 27, at 11 a.m.) Tile Heimwehr, killing three and capturing twenty-five, drove off Nazis attempting to capture the concentration camp at Graz in order to liberate the prisoners. The death roll in Upper Styria is now twenty Heimwehrites and a larger number of rebels. Army reinforcements are hastening to Loeben, Liezen, and Donawitz. Government troops have driven the Nazis from Radkersbnrg into Jugoslavia, where they refused to surrender their arms and threw them into the river, after which they were granted asylum as political refugees. Dr Dollfuss’s funeral is fixed for 4 o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday. The State is providing for Dr Dollfuss’s family. Cabinet decided to appoint a special military court of one judge and three officers to try the rebels. It is under stood that death is the only possible sentence, and there will be no appeal therefrom. Frau Dollfuss was taken straight from the aerodrome to see her, husband’s body. A few officials were present. The Chancellery is in disorder, guards being posted in all the passages. Herr Rintelen’s secretary, Herr Boehm, and a friend, General Wagner, have been arrested. Ah unconfirmed report says that one of them committed suicide. KING’S MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 26. (Received July 27, at noon.) Mr Baldwin, Sir John Simon, and Sir Austen Chamberlain, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, called at the Austrian Legation in London. Requiem mass for Dr Dollfuss will be held later in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Westminster. The following telegram from the King has been despatched to the President of the Austrian Republic: “It is with profound, horror 1 have learned of the dastardly murder of Dr Dollfuss, and 1 hasten to convey io you, Monsieur le President, my profound sympathy with you and the Austrian nation at this tragic moment. Pray also convey to Frau Dollfuss, on behalf of the Queen and myself, our heartfelt condolences.” '

BRITAIN APPREHENSIVE GRAVE COMPLICATIONS CONCEIVABLE LONDON, July 26. (Received July 27, at 12.5 p.m.) ft is understood that a dispatch has teen sent to Mr Lyons in connection with the Austrian crisis. Britain regards the situation with the greatest apprehension.. It is feared that if the regime continues it will be weak, whilst if it is a Nazi administration grave complications will conceivably follow, involving Italian troops entering Aus tria, thus incensing Jugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Although Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons, did not mention Germany, there is no mistaking Britain’s attitude towards Germany in connection with yesterday’s happenings. CZECHOSLOVAKIAN TROOPS MOBILISATION DENIED LONDON, July 26. (Received July 27 at 12.5 p.m.) The Embassy officially denies that Czechoslovakian troops have mobilised on the Austrian frontier. AUSTRIA’S INDEPENDENCE BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE UNCHANGED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 26. (Received July 27, at noon.) Questioned in the House of Com mons regarding the Austrian situation, Sir John Simon read the official version of yesterday’s events communicated verbally to tl e Diplomatic Corps in Vienna last night. Ho continued: “ 1 understand that the insurgents arc now in custody, the safe conduct promised to them being treated as having lapsed by reason of the death of the Chancellor, and that the identity of those who actually fired on the Chancellor is known. In spite of the temporary success of the insurgents in seizing the Federal Chancellery and the radio station, they received no general support from tho population, either in Vienna or jn the provinces, where, according to latest reports, everything is now under control. Baron Franckensteiu informed me that he had heard officially "rom his Government that Dr Dollfuss lived for a considerable time after he was shot, and

was allowed to bleed to death by his assassins, who refused him both medical and spiritual aid. I may add that the attitude of this country as to the independence and inter ■ L V of Austria in accordance with relevant treaties, as stated in the declaration which 1 made on behalf of His Majesty’s Government in February last, remains unchanged by these tragic events. On February 17 the French, Italian, and United Kingdom Governments agreed to the issue of tho following communique :—‘ The Austrian Government has inquired of the Governments of France. Great Britain, and Italy as to their attitude with regard to the dossier which it prepared with a view to establishing German interference in the internal affairs of Austria and communicated to them. The conversations which have taken place between the three Government ou v this subject have shown that they take a common view as to the necessity of maintaining Austria’s independence and integrity in accordance with relevant treaties.’ ’’ ITALY WATCHING EVENTS MOVEMENT OF TROOPS HOT UNUSUAL ROME, July 26. (Received July 27, at 11.25 a.m.) It is explained that troop movements on the Austro-Italian frontier are usual at this time of the year, and no general move is contemplated. Italy remains calm. The spokesman says that Italy is awaiting events, and will step in at any moment if it appears that the situation is becoming precarious for the Austrian Government. The Italian Foreign Office issued a statement that, “ while the events in Austria have filled the Italian people with sadness, there is no cause for alarm, as the Government appears to be in full control. It is simply an incident which has passed off like other incidents in the Balkans. There is no general rising, as the Nazis hoped. Our economic policy towards Austria is unchanged.” HUNDREDS OF NAZIS ARRESTED BERLIN, July 26. (Received July '27, at 11.30 a.m.) * President Hindenburg and Baron Von Neurath telegraphed condolences to President Miklas. the former regretting the abominable attack. Semi-official reports state that hundreds of Nazis were arrested throughout Austria. HITLER TO MAKE STATEMENT BERLIN, July 26. (Received July 27, at 11.30 a.m.) Herr Hitler is hurrying to Munich, from whence a statement'will be issued. The Nazis will not be allowed to move to the frontier, which has not been strengthened. Munich is greatly excited. “DAMNABLE MURDER’’ THE POPE’S MESSAGE VIENNA, July 26. (Received July 27, at 11.30 a.m.) The Pope’s message to Frau Dollfuss. President Miklas, and Herr Schuachnigg condemns “ the spirit of bate, deliberately encouraged, which led to this damnable and bloody act.” Tho Pope described I)r Dollfuss as a faithful son of the church, and the defender of his country. The entire civilised world would condemn his murder.

ITALIAN FORCES OH FRONTIER ROME, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 p.m.) Subsequently it was officially admitted that land and air forces bad been moved to the Austro-Italian frontier in sufficient numbers to meet eventualities. Further precautions at present were deemed unnecessary. Signor Mussolini is conferring with the Under-Secretaries of War and Foreign Affairs. FRANCE BLAMES GERMANY PARIS, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1-30 p.m.) The Foreign Office is maintaining close contact with London and Rome. T(ie official view seems to be that no immediate French initiative is demanded. The Press unanimously Blames Germany for the events in Austria. All papers demand action by England, France, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. _■ MORE HOPEFUL FEELING IN ITALY LONDON, July 26. (Received July 27, at .30 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini, on hearing of the assassination, ordered four army divisions and a contingent of the Air Force to the frontier. Signor Mussolini as .-cting in full accord with Britain and France. The feeling here is now much more hopeful than it was yesterday. NINE HUNDRED NAZIS CAPTURED government in full control of SITUATION VIENNA, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 p.m.) Nine hundred Nazis were taken prisoners at Styria. The arrests of Boem and ''Vagner are confirmed. Others arrested include Drs Renner (ex-Chance!lor), Steinhause (police chief), Petwaidie (newspaper editor), Herr Andreas (a Bamberger journalist), also the son of Herr Habicht.

Skirmishes at Messeadorf, Kaiserwaldi and Frohnlfiteh were suspended by an armistice conditional upon the surrender of the rebels to-day. The Government is now in full control of the situation. It surprised the Nazis by its swift .action after the tragedy. A partial curfew is imposed on the city restaurants, and cafes have been ordered to shut at 10 o’clock at night. Theatres and cinemas are not allowed to open. FRONTIER REOPENED BERLIN, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 p.m.) The Austro-German frontier has been reopened. YUGOSLAVIA’S ATTITUDE ZAGREB, July 26. (Received July 27, at 1.30 p.m.) Yugoslavia is closely watching the situation, which she is willing to regard as purely domestic while no other country intervenes, in which event she is prepared to assist Italy, RECONSTRUCTION OF CABINET DEFERRED VIENNA, July 26. (Received July 27, at 12.5 p.ni.) The Cabinet met under Prince Star hemberg as temporary Chancellor, to wjidm Mr Schuschnigg surrendered full powers. Final reconstruction of the Ministry was deferred until Dr Dollfuss is buried. BRITISH MINISTER TO RETURN TO VIENNA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 26. (Received July 27, at noon. 1 The British Minister to Austria (Sir (V a herd Selby), wh-- has been on leave in England, left for Vienna.