AUSTRIA’S POLICY DEFINED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 February 1935, Page 5

AUSTRIA’S POLICY DEFINED

“PEACE WITHIN AND WITHOUT” PRIME MINISTER’S COMMENT (United Pres# Association— By Electric TelegrapV Oopynjrht.) LONDON, Feb. 27. Tn a statement before his departure from London Dr. Schuschnigg, Austrian Prime Minister, defined Austria’s policy as “peace within and without.” He said Austria was perfectly able to exist as an independent State indefinitely. The dissolution of the Hapsburg monarchy had played havoc with Austria’s economic life, said Dr. Sehuschnigg, but prosperity would return if Austria enjoyed freedom from political upheaval. He admitted that 526 Socialists, 118 Communists and 1627 Nazis ■ were still in Austrian prisons. Three thousand had been pardoned and released and 2000 others were under police detention. Sixty-seven death sentences had been passed, of which 44 had been commuted. Executions were carried out only in expiation of “grave blood guiltiness.” Dr. Scliuschnigg and Dr. BcrgerWaldenegg, Foreign Minister, yesterday- visited Mr Arthur Henderson, president of the Disarmament Conference. The topics discussed with him are unde’.stood to have covered questions in which he is interested as president of the Disarmament Conference and as a leading member of thc Labour Party. Sir Robert Vansi'ttart (representing Sir John Simon, Foreign Secretary), Mr R. A Eden, Lord Privy Seal, and Herr Frankenstein, Austrian Minister in T.ondon, were at the station to bid farewell to Dr. Scliuschnigg and Dr. Berger-Waldenegg when they left for Vienna. . , Burin" their two days’ visit the Austrian Ministers gave the members of the British Government full information with regard to current events in Austria and their recent conversations with the French Ministers. They also expressed gratitude for the assistance "iven Austria by Britain in effecting the Tecent conversion of the League of Nations loan.