AUSTRIAN CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 13

AUSTRIAN CRISIS

HITLER’S ATTITUDE GERMANY IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE Prill Aisociation — By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 27. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Munich correspondent states: “Herr. Hitler is doing his utmost to clear his regime from responsibility for the Austrian rising. He has dismissed Herr Habicht for alleged complicity in the recent events, and has ordered Austrian Nazis resident in Germany to hand in their anus and uniforms. He states that any who attempt to cross into Austria will be shot.” MISSION FOR VON PAPEN TO PROCEED TO VIENNA BERLIN, July‘27. Herr Hitler has sent a message to Herr Von Papen asking him to go to Vienna immediately to report on the situation and act for. a' temporary period as Germany Minister. The letter proceeds ; “ In your new office you will directly, under my orders, inquire into the attack on the Austrian Chancellor, which has been condemned and regretted most emphatically by the German Government. It is my wish, if possible, to contribute to the relief of the general situation and especially to see our relations with the Austrian State brought again into normal friendly channels. I ask you, dear Herr Von Papan, to undertake this important task because you have enjoyed and are enjoying my fullest and most unbounded confidence.” . ' VON PAPEN ACCEPTS ! BERLIN. July 27. It has been officially announced that Herr Von Papen has accepted the Viennese post, and that he has been relieved of the. functions of Vice-Chan-cellor and Commissioner of the. Saar. General Goering is mentioned as his successor. Diplomatic circles consider the appointment an extremely, ingenious move as it ■ removes Herr Von Papen from the immediate sphere of his Cabinet colleagues, with whom the position has been difficult since the recent clean-up of the Nazi Party, '

BORDER PROBLEMS THE BAVARIAN MENACE ■t. " 1 •■’- ‘ LONDON, July 27: The ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ Munich correspondent. says: “The Austrian foreign legionaries’ plans to invade Austria by a dash over the frontier ’miscarried, arid a sudden order . received to-day brought a dramatic halt to the Nazis’ plans. It is now denied that an armed invasion of Austria was ever contemplated.” ■ The Berlin correspondent of the ‘-Daily Express 1 says: “Herr Hitler’s black-uniformed bodyguard battalions were' mobilised to-day and .placed under arms in Bavaria in order to prevent legionaries from marching to Austria.” INTERMITTENT FIGHTING NAZI LOSSES VIENNA, July 27. An official communique • admits con siderable losses of. Government troops in fighting for the Pyhra Pass. Anna berg Hill, in Carinthia, was taken after a . long, fierce action. Nine Nazis lie dead- on the field, and two machine guns and 100 rifles were captured.. It has been reported that thirty were killed in fighting at Loebeu, where an armistice has been agreed upon until dawn. THE LEAGUE'S POSITION INTERVENTION UNLIKELY GENEVA, July 27. League officials, after communicating with London,, Paris, and Rome, state that League intervention in Austrian affairs is improbable. The Swiss Guards on the Austrian frontier have been doubled.

MUSSOLINI'S TELEGRAM SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT LONDON, July 27. Mr Ward Price has specially gone to Vienna. The 4 Daily Mai! ’ says: “ Great political significance attaches to Signor Mussolini’s telegram of condolence to Frau Dollfuss, declaring with emphasis which is rare in an official communication, 44 Nobody has any doubt where the responsibility, most immediate and remote, for the Chancellor’s death resides.” FRENCH COMMENT PARIS, July 27. The newspapers generally suggest that the Powers hold themselves in readiness to intervene if Austria’s integrity is threatened.M. Henri Berengcr, writing in the 4 Agcndb Economique Financiers,’ says: 44 Germany’s hand is stained with Dr Dollfuss’s blood,” and adds: 44 The League should have acted in February. England, Italy, France, and Czecho-

Slovakia must not leave tho matter till it is too late.”

M. Boncour, in an interview with the * Petit Journal,’ said: “ If any country intervened on its own responsibility it would lead to a dangerous situation, but if authorised by the League the danger would be avoided.” RINTELEN'S AMBITIONS VIENNA, July 2?. A search of Herr llintelen’s rooms revealed a list of a new Cabinet, headed by himself. The Government refuses to publish the names of tho imprisoned rebels. BODY LYING IN STATE A SAD PROCESSION VIENNA, July 27. While bells tolled and thousands ol iliassed troops and police lined the roads, Dr Dollfuss’s body, in a metal coffin drawn by six black horses, was taken half a mile from the Chancellery to the Town Hall in order to lie in state. Detachments of police and infantry headed the procession, while high officers and sis of Dr Dollfuss’s war comrades flanked the hearse, behind which walked President Miklas alone. Next were Prince Star hem berg and Major Fey, carrying revolvers, contrary to tho usual custom. Dr Dollfuss’s wife and parents were too overcome with grief to participate in the procession. His sister, brother, and brother-in-law, clad in rustic garb, sprinkled holy water on the coffin after it had been deposited on the catafalque. . Dr Dollfuss died almost penniless. Prince Starhemberg announced niter a Cabinet meeting that the Government would carry on as before, presenting a common front to carry out the task of the Dollfuss regime. THE ASSASSIN NAZI PARTY'S REPUDIATION VIENNA, July 27. The police announce that the actual murderer of Dr Dollfuss was cx-Cor-poral Franz Holzweber, who was discharged from the army in 1932 for engaging in Nazi agitation. The Nazi Party is now officially disclaiming responsibility for tho rising, declaring it must have been organised by irresponsibles.

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ANXIOUS TOKIO, July 27. The Government is most concerned over the situation in Europe, expressing the opinion that the causes of war are greater, than before the World War, though the deterrents are also greater. ' AMERICAN SYMPATHY , WASHINGTON, July 27. President Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull have sent messages of condolence to the Austrian Government concerning the assassination of Dr Dollfuss. THE MONEY MARKET LONDON, July 27. The * Daily Telegraph’s ’ financial editor says: “ Though the Austrian crisis had a dominant influence, the London markets have withstood the new European apprehensions better than Wall street, where there was heavy selling, or Paris, where there is a heavy tone. Although in London almost every class of stock and share closed lower than on Wednesday, there was no great volume of selling in the City, and the investment world, on the whole, took the news calmly, but a cautious policy has been adopted pending developments. The chief regret in the City was that the Austrian tragedy came just when 'Austria was showing signs of sturdy financial and economic improvement.”

FRONTIER FIGHTING REPORTED CONCERN IN ITALY ROME, July 27. " (Received July 28, at 10 a.m.) Anxiety has been created by reports ut lighting on the Yugoslavia frontier where thfe Nazis have gathered, it is reported, in preparation for a putsch. GERMAN NAZISM ITALIAN PAPER’S OUTBURST ROME, July 27. (Received July 28, at 10 a.m.) A vehement article in ‘ Popoli di Roma ’ says: “ The tragedy of June 30 threw a lurid light on German Nazism but no one supposed that assassination would be an instrument oi Internationa, action. Dr Dollfuss was killed for resisting Germany’s intention to swallow his country, if war broke out to-mor row all Europe would jump on Ger many, ,and invading armies would pour on her from every frontier. That uwhab Nazism has done for Germany.” HERR HELEN DEAD BERLIN, July 27. (Received July 28, at 10 a.m.) The death is announced of Herr Rintelen. I Hcrr Rintelen, who was Austrian Minister in Boinc, and who was known to be n friend of the Nazis, and personally ambitious, was arrested by the War Ministry, ami attempted to commit suicide.]

THE PLOT THAT FAILED GERMANY'S POSITION ‘ THE TIMES ’ CRITICAL. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 27. (Received July 28, at noon.) The failure of the coup was complete owing to the refusal of the Austrian people to respond. There is considered to be no immediate prospect of international complications, which would bo only likely to arise if any foreign country endangered Austria’s independence. Commenting on the situation, ‘ The Times ’ says: The full story of Dr Dollfuss’s end, deprived as ho was of medical and spiritual aid, “is making the name Nazi stink in the nostrils of the world,” as “ a system which nourishes on such methods inspires loathing and disgust everywhere.” ‘ The Times ’ observes that the conduct of the German Government since the events in Austria has been strictly correct, and it very wisely dissociated itself from the rebellion which failed. It announced that it would summarily arrest any rebels who crossed the German frontier from Austria in accordance with the arrangements negotiated by the German Minister at Vienna, and the German Minister himself has been recalled to Berlin for having sanctioned the arrangement. . “ But why,” asks ‘ The Times,’ “ was he in particular, the intermediary between the rebels and the Austrian authorities? Surely no German diplomat would take so conspicuous a responsibility without feeling certain that his Government would approve of his conduct if successful, and in any case, quite openly, night after night the official wireless operated-.from Munich and flooded Austria with instigations to get rid of Dr Dollfuss, Many of the munitions employed in the Nazi terrorist -campaign in Austria have borne the label of the German array weapon office at Charlottenburg. Subersive literature distributed in Austria has been taken over from Germany. On the facts of the case, and on account of her precepts and her example, Germany cannot be absolved of some moral responsibility.”

MANY RUMOURS AND REPORTS ANSCHLUSS THE NAZIS’ GOAL VIENNA, July 27. (Received July . 28, at 12 30 p.m.) Von Drasenovich, leader of the Austrian Nazi refugees in Western Germany, says the brothers cannot long be separated, and adds: “There are seve ral thousands of such refugees through out Germany, placed in camps becausi that is the cheapest method of living ['he Anschluss is their eventual goal but at present they demand only Aus> tria’s liberation from tyranny. The Austrian Nazis desire peaceful co-ope ration with the Reich.” The entire Heimwehr has been mobi ised to ensure their speedy transfer. A thousand Nazis suddenly appearei on the Yugoslav frontier, and a bat tery of artillery was posted to check their advance. The Nazis’ stronghold at Loeben was -aptured after a bombardment. * Reichpost ’ says: “The assassin was Otto Panetta, an ex-soldier, who was discharged from the army because he became a Nazi.” rt is believed that Prince Starhem berg, who is an ardent admirer and friend of Signor Mussolini, is demanding that Austria shall be a full-blooded Fascist State on the Italian lines. Two men are reported to have been killed in a fight between the frontier guards and Austrian Nazis who crossed the German-Austrian frontiei near Killerschlag, and attempted to storm the Customs-house. Fighting continues m Upper Austria and Carinthia, which are almosi isolated from Vienna The rebels re tain Moellbrucken as their headquar tors, also St Veitanderglan, Feldkn ohen, Wolfsberg, Bleiburg, a portion ol Tauern, and other railway areas. The regulars occupying Villach expect a fresh Nazi attack. The Syrian' rebels are reported to have been routed, and order restored. The Government is collecting discarded weapons. PRINCE STARE EM BERG IN CONTROL, (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 27. (Received July 28, at noon.) The temporary leadership of the Austrian Government has been entrusted to Princo Starhemberg (ViceChancellor).

CLEANING UP (British 00'icial Wireioss.) * RUGBY, July 27. (Received July 28, at noon.) Although the Austrian Government forces encountered resistance to-day from bands of Nazis in Styria and Corinthia, the authorities declare that this merely represents a cleaning up pro cess, and that the back of revolt has been broken. nmim incioehtg LONDON, July 27. (Received July 28, at 1 p.m.) The Austrian Minister, Herr Franckenstein) states that complete order has been restored iu Austria. All the frontiers are open, and the railway services arc normal. ‘ Tho Times’s ’ Munich correspondent says: “ Tho Austrian Legion faces frustration. H cannot understand why Germany is demonstratively disowning it after eighteen months of perfect har-

mony. During a conflict at Killcrschlag to-day the Heimwehr pursued eight Nazi insurgents across the German frontier. Tho Nazis dragged with them three Austrian Customs officers who had tried to intercept them. The German frontier police arrested the fugitives and returned the Austrian officials to their headquarters. This is in striking contrast to tho cordial German welcome to political refugees from Austria until a few days ago.”