AUSTRIA AND GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 12

AUSTRIA AND GERMANY

THE NEW AGREEMENT EXPLANATION BY DR SGHUSCHNICG Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright VIENNA, February 24. (Received February 25, at 12.25 p.m.) Proceeding between rows of members of the Fatherland Front, students and storm troopers of the youth organisation, Dr Schuschnigg received the plaudits of 40,000 when he arrived at Parliament House in order to deal with the Berchtesgaden conversations. The cheering lasted five minutes. Inside the Chamber were the entire, Diplomatic Corps, including Herr von Papen. Dr Schuschnigg, referring to the gravity of the occasion, declared: “ Our first duty is to preserve the freedom and independence of the Austrian Fatherland. The Popular Front and dictatorial ‘ constitutions are both excluded in Austria, whose Constitution knows no parties. The Government unalterably adheres to.the May, 1934 Constitution, and intends to secure peace with all countries and extend it within the frontiers to the best of its ability. This peace agreement, after five years’ fight, was the purpose of the Berchtesgaden meeting. The new Government is not a Popular Front tied to parties, but a single united front of all classes. Austria is a German country, and stands or falls with its German mission. The Berchtesgaden agreement includes German recognition of Austria’s full sovereignty; that neither Government will influence the other’s political structure, and that Austria shall conduct her policy in accordance with her declaration that she is a German State. The conclusion of the new agreement ends a period of tension. Austria has always recognised the political ideal of the German State, but there must be no interference in Austrian affairs.”

Referring to Austria’s good relations with England, France, and Switzerland, Dr Schuschnigg specifically omitted Italy. He ended by declaring: “ Austria remains free, and for this we will fight to the death.”