GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1936, Page 7

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

TROOP MOVEMENTS EXPLAINED NOT WAR PREPARATION [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, April 30.’ "The Times’s” Munich correspondent says: German troops have been stationed for some months in several towns near the Austrian frontier, but it is emphasised that their presence there is merely part of a German scheme fo’r -the Redistribution and reinforcement of units after conscription/ The numbers are not regarded as excessive, though it is admitted that the total military strength in the border area may now be greater than in the pre-war days, but this is held to be ndt remarkable in view' of the peacetime' strength of the new German Army, and of the complete transformation of. Germany’s relations with Austria; and .Italy. There has been no appreciable reinforcement of troops at -any point on the frontier in recent , weeks,. The . b.order;area, it is added, is,' and always has been, the most, suitable . one ,in Germany. for mountain exercises: - •

‘ - ; “FULhY-NORMAL.” . VIENNA, April 30. The reports of threatening developments on the Austro-German frontier, are here officially denied. The frontier situation is described as being “fully normal.” It is" admitted that troop movements are. progressing, but these are said to be only seasonal movements and to be for training purposes only. PEACEFUL ANNEXATION. . (Recd. May 1,2 p.m.) BERLIN, April 30. Newspapers characterise the rumours of anti-Austrian movements as an attempt to sabotage the German peace plan. LONDON, April 30. “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent states: It is most improbable that Germany at. present will attempt ,to annex Austria, or otherwise change the regime, as she hopes Austria will voluntarily join Germany, for which objective it is suggested that a plebiscite be held. It is pointed out that Germany aims at a revision of treaties/ peacefully, if possible. Nevertheless, if other Governments attempted to intervene forcefully to defend Austria without consulting the inhabitants of that country, the arguments in favour of quiet waiting .might be dissipated, and Germany confront Europe with another fait accompli. “The Times’s” Paris correspondent says that French anxiety has lessened. It is believed that the Austrian Government has the situation in hand.

NAZI ACTIVITY. VIENNA, April 29. Nazis are taking advantage of the Phoenix Assurance Company scandals to intensify their propaganda. Large numbers of the Austrian Legion, who fled to Germany following the 1934 revolt, have recrossed the frontier into Austria. . The situation is made graver owing to internal dissensions. The Heimwehr is at loggerheads with Chancellor Schpschnigg’s Sturmscharen. The Democratic wing of the Cabinet is quarrelling with the Fascist wing. Dr. Von. Schuschnigg says: “We are preparing for all eventualities. We to counter attack.” . ' 1

The Stock Exchange reacted unfavourably as there dre : fears of civil war. ' 7 .-.i V’-v ' QUESTIONS HITLER [BRITISH QFFICIAL'WJRELESS.] , April 30. The questions which' are to be addressed to-Germany by the British Government, in order to elucidate certain- matters contained in Hitler’s memorandum of March 31, were under discussion at yesterday’s meeting of Cabinet, but consideration of the mat- ’ ter was not completed,was resumed f at a special Cabinet, this morning. . The questions - WllT’pfbbably be presented through - ’diplomatic channels, at the< end-of 'the'"p'regent Week, and it is hoped that allow of time for replies to be received from Germany, before the meeting of the Council, of the League, on May 11, when representatives of the other Locarno Powers, for whom Britain is acting, will meet at Geneva;

CREDITS FROM. BRITISH BANKS. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] RUGBY, April 30. The Chancellor of the . Exchequer, was asked in the Common? whether he was aware that several banks had granted to German borrowers shortterm credits, outside the standstill agreement, and whether, in view of the fact that such credit transactions procured additional foreign exchange resources, enabling the German. Government to increase its raw. material imports for rearmament,. he would discourage the granting of new credits to German borrowers. The Chancellor replied that he was not aware of any- such credits. He could, however, assure the House that the question had not been overlooked, and that it was ever present in the minds of the appropriate authorities. He had no reason to believe that the banking community, as a whole, was acting other than in accordance with the general feeling- of the House.