IN AUSTRIA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1938, Page 5

IN AUSTRIA

THE PLEBISCITE CAUSES NAZI DISORDERS. ✓ (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). VIENNA, March 10. 1 It has been a day of feverish activity in Government preparing 1 for the plebiscite and with conferences of the Nazis. Several hundred Nazis later in the afternoon attempted to storm the building containing i the Fatherland Front Offices. They smashed a door and a number of window's before being dispersed by the police. Nazi crowds rioted elsewhere and mounted police Avere called out. Over a million “Yes” ballot papei’3 | are already printed, bearing the questions: “Do you stand for a free and German Austria and independent Austria, and Christian united Austria? Freedom in the land and equality for all?” Contrary to the first announcements no special “No” papers are being printed. Herr Hitler sent a special envoy, Keppler, w'ho (Conferred with Dr. Inquart for several hours, then returned to Berlin. Meantime, Nazi leaders sent a protest to President "Miklas, stating they consider the plebiscite illegal, and they ! liave ordered their followers to abstain from voting. Government circles reply that the Nazi’ decision does not • alter the situation. At Graz, the Nazis are making bonfires of all Fatherland Front literaf ture, and are parading the streets shouting, “Down with Schuschnigg! Our Fulirer is Hitler!” VIENNA, March 10. Nazi extremists threaten to wreck the plebiscite by “bloody-disorders on 1 March 13 w’hich will force Hitler to | restore peace.” Sixty lorry-loads of troops and police w r ere sent to Styria to-night } w’here the situation is regarded as very serious. Thirty thousand Nazis took possession of the streets of, Graz for six, hours. Many were injured. / V j : A PANDEMONIUM. . • i V. \ !' ■, '-LONDON/.'March 10. The "Daily Telegraph’©” Vienna correspondent says'f The Nazis to-day created pandemonium in the centre of the city, in the hope of shaking Schusclmigg’s: H fofehrage. 1 - KaehitrierStrass and the •> neighbourhood of the Opera House w’er,e scenes of indescribable disorder. The police to-night closed the whole of the inner city. The Government has decided to take strong measures against to-morrow. SERIOUS CLASHES. VIENNA, March 11. The whole city, at midnight W’a3 still covered, with , demonstrators. Serious clashes in several districts occurred. Two people..were stabbed and a policeman was dragged from his horse and assaulted. . ..... The police Charged' with sabres and arrested the culprit. , ; -Cars were held up and window’s . Smashed and the occupants were abused because they were presumed to be Jews. All of the police reserves have been called out, and it is expected that martial law will be proclaimed today. The Government has emphasised that everyone is free to vote in secrecy if so desired. SCHUSCHNIGG CHEERED. VIENNA, March 10. Ten thousand wildly cheered Dr. Schuschnigg when he arrived from Innsbruck, and drove to the Chancellery. Austrian patriots are in a frenzy w’ith joy as the result of Dr. Schusclinigg’s speech, which left the Nazis flabbergasted. For the first time for four years, workmen are openly wearing the red carnation, the emblem of the democratic workers. Messages from Budapest and Prague indicate that Austria’s neighbours are on the tiptoe of excitement regarding the plebiscite, the climax to a year’s tension. INQUART’S THREAT. LONDON, March 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Vienna correspondent says that Dr Schuschnigg conferred with Inquart, who is 1 reported to have threatened resignation unless the plebiscite w’ere called off and more Nazis included in the ! Cabinet. ' A BRITISH REQUEST. c LONDON, March 11. It is understood that Lord Hali- ( tax yesterday asked Herr von Ribbon- < trop for an undertaking frofn the < German Government that it would | not try to influence the Austrian plebiscite, says the diplomatic corres- ( pondent of the “Daily Mail ’' [ A similar request was sent to Sir £ Neville Henderson for submission fo tile German Government. Herr von Ribbentrop replied that he could not give such an undertaking without consulting Herr Hitler, which he would do immediately he returned ( to i,erhn. He added that the German Governmeat did not regard the plebiscite ( either as fair “or “free,” as the age ( limit of twenty-four years barred 1 many Nazi sympathisers from voting. * <