CHARGE-OF TREASON

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 March 1935, Page 5

CHARGE-OF TREASON

Former Austrian Minister Faces Trial in Military Court EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS ARMED TROOPS ON GUARD (United Ertea Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright). VIENNA, March 2. The trial of Herr Rintelin, who was involved in the assassination of Dr. Dollfuss, the Chancellor, last July, commenced before the military court to-day. Extraordinary precautions are being taken to prevent a disturbance. Soldiers with steel helmets, fixed bayonets and gas masks are on duty in the session flail with others patrolling corridors. The public prosecutor demanded imprisonment. Rintelin pleaded not guilty. Rintelin looked very weak. Three doctors will be present during the whole trial toi w r atch his condition. Rintelin limped slightly. His right arm w r as in a sling and his eyes, formerly alert, a-» now dulled. Convulsive movements of his mouth betrayed nervousness and his memory is also affected. The principal judge warned Rintelin he had freedom to speak, but must not abuse the right. It was essental and important that political questions be treated in the calmest manner to prevent bis health suffering, thus necessitating the abandonment of the trial. The charges include that Rintelin had allegedly confessed receiving on July 25 last a Nazi courier who told him to proceed to the chancellery and also that barlier trials revealed that Rintelin would hand over power to the Nazis. . Dr. Frida,; one of the judges, made an effort throughout the day to secure Rintelin’s conviction for treason on grounds of ambition and jealousy of Dr. Dollfuss. Dr. Frida alleged Rintelin knew beforehand of the Nazi putsch, while his family and friends were mostly Nazis. Rintelin staunchly defended himself He denied jealousy and personal differences with Dr. Dollfuss. He declared Dr. Dollfuss had authorised him secretly to negotiate with, Nazis to effect a settlement, but he had not succeeded because the Government refused to accede to the Nazis’ demand for am election.

He denied an overgreat association with the Gerjnan Minister at Rome. On the contrary, he said, he saw the British Ambassador oftener.

The court adjourned after six hours owing to Rintelin’s exhaustion. It is expected the trial will reveal the truth of happenings hitherto obscure. Herr Anton Rintelin, then Austrian Minister at Rome, was arrested after the Nazi rising in July that resulted in the death of Dr. Dollfuss. On the day of the revolt Nazis shot their way into the Vienna wireless station and forced the announcer to state that Herr Rinteljn was forming a Cabinet. Herr Rintelin, who w'as stated to be a known friend of the Nazis, was arrested. It was also stated that a search of Herr Rintdin’s belongings had revealed a list of members of a new Cabinet headed by himself.