IN AUSTRIA

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1938, Page 5

IN AUSTRIA

EUROPE. SHOCKED

SCH USCH NIGC’S STATEMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, March 9.

Europe received a new shock to-day when Dr ; Schuschnigg announced the national plebiscite on the issue “Free German Austria.’ 1 ’ The world is anxious to know- what lie mean's by the' words ‘‘German Austria.” The formal announcement came from a declaration-signed by the Chancellor, headed, “For a free German Austria.”- i

“The people of Austria. For the first time in the history of our Fatherland, the leaders of the State demand a public profession of faith in your homeland. All of you, men and women of free Austria, are summoned to confess yourselves before'the whole world. You shall say whether you are minded to go the way we are going, which has as its object social concord, equality of rights,* ijnai .overcoming -of party divisions, German peace at'home and abroad, and a policy of work. Our password is for a free and German independent social Christian united Austria, for peace, work,‘ and the equality of all who profess faith in the people and the 1 Fatherland. That is the goal ‘ of my' policy to reach which is tlie'task. and •historic demand of the hour. Whoever: affirms that password serves the interests of ; the-homeland. The world must see that ; our will is to live. Therefore, Austrian people, stand up as one man, and vote ‘Ja!’ ‘Heil! Os-, terrach l’ ” Instructions for voting state'that all voting .papers will be printed with the* word on them, and -will be counted as “yes” papers; even if “no” or other words are written on them. •Voters/wanting to vote “no” must ask for-.a. spieCial ; paper. “Are you for a free, .independent- German Austria?” will: be ;the question on the paper. : • WARNING.-TO NAZIS, ■ , VIENNA,'March 10. Dr, Schuschnigg, . addressing, 26,000 people. at Innsbruck, said : “We shall not tojcrate Nazi threats. There must be a division between legality and illegality.” • . . “German peace must be literally and honourably kept. • The ,Berchtesgadeufiprogramme will . be' fulfilled, but not one. iota more. I stand or fall , by. the plebiscite. There must be no more provocations.” For years, he said” Germany had used pressure on him to hold the plebiscite, but he had always replied that he would do so at the moment choseh by himself. “Ndiy those who wants the plebiscite" can'.have it," Dr. Schuschniwe said. •/. - He added that the sole responsibility for the* decision to- hold the plebiscite was his, and he could not believe that any Austrian, man \>t woman, knowing' 'what was at stake, would vote against the Government. The' speech ‘was } received .with enthusiasm after which 20,000 marched through the streets singing patriotic songs. ' \ . ’ ‘ NAZIS SURPRISED. ' ’ ■ LONDON, March 10. The “Daily Mail’s” Vienna correspondent says that reports were circulated in Vienna jlast night that Herr Seyss and Dr, von Inquart were about to resign from the Austrian Cabinet.. The Austrian Nazis feel . that they have been betrayed by the .suddenness of the plebiscite for which they blame Dr, you Inquart. . EQUALITY WITH NAZIS. VIENNA, March 10. The Nazis are protesting that the age limit will deprive them of 200,000 votes in Upper Austria alone, and they also complain that the suddenness of the announcement of the, plebiscite does not give them time for an electoral agitation. An agreement signed by representatives of the Government and the workers, accords the workers, henceforth the . same rights as the Nazis. They will be allowed to , enter the Patriotic Front, and their organisations and confiscated funds will be restored. The Nazis attempted to parade in Vienna late to-night. Tl(e police charged and arrested several hundred. Small groups continued to demonstrate,.singing the “Horstwassel” song which is forbidden The Nazis also tried +o demons;rate at mnsbruck, but members of the Patriotic Youth .attacked them GERMAN OFFICIAL SILENCE BERLIN, March 10. Complete silence is being observed in German official circles th> Austrian plebiscite, which has dearly surprised Berlin. TS newspapers, so far, have not one line, concerning it. EVENTS MOVING. (Received this day at 1.50 p.m ) VIENNA, March 10. Events are taking a sinister him after an official announcement by Hugo Jury, Dr. von Inquart’s deputy, ! that-the Nazis would be ordered to j abstain from voting throughout Aus- * trial on March 13;

songs*

Jury said that, lie resolved to adhere to the agreement of Fehruaiy 12, but “we are not prepared to manifest on I resolve in this form. The whole way in which the plebiscite has been ar ranged can be characterised only by tlie expression that we prefer not to use it. It is being done behind the Cabinet’s back. The manner of polling enables an individual to vote several times, and gives officers of the Fatherland Front unrestricted control of the poll.” Elaborate precautions are being taken to prevent disorders which are 'Seriously Reared. Nazis are already adopting a belligerent attitude, and have opened broadcasting. They will prevent a poll by fore®.