REVOLT SIMMERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 8

REVOLT SIMMERS

NAZIS IN AUSTRIA

“Austria is the arena of a struggle between Germany and Italy. A comparison of the Nazis, who are the instruments of German foreign policy, with the Heimwehr (Austrian Fascist Home Guard), who are Signor Mussolini’s mercenaries, shows that although Germany is still relatively unarmed, she is more formidable,” says a special correspondent of the Manchester Guardian who is investigating conditions in Austria. The correspondent says that Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol, which is 109 miles by rail from Munich (Germany) is under a Heimwehr terror almost as severe as the Nazi terror in Germany. There is the same sense of general insecurity, fear and nervousness. People in the shops, cafes and streets are afraid to speak above whispers. Arrests are still being made, although fighting with the Socialists ended five weeks ago. The Dollfuss Government is precariously established, and the loyalty of its forces is divided.

Innsbruck is now a stronghold of the Nazis, whose mood resembles that of their German counterparts in 1932. The Nazis are planning eventually to seize power by an insurrection and ter_ rorism. Twice they offered to assist in the fighting against the Socialists, but the Government refused their terms. The Na.zis are superbly organised and skilled in revolutionary technique. They know how to bide their time, and they will hear from Berlin when the Nazi revolution, is due to be extended to Austria.

“Meanwhile, the Heimwehr, who were cowardly and incompetent during the fighting, and brutal during the subsequent suppression of the Socialists, are highly unpopular,” continues the correspondent. “They would soon be non-existent without Italian support, a.nd, in fact, they are a Praetorian Guard propping up a shaky administration. “The Nazis are unarmed, but they will be armed when the time comes. In Innsbruck, with a few arms, they could seize power overnight. They would be joined by many local soldiers, police, and officials. “A similar revolutionary situation exists throughout Styria and many towns outside Styria, although not yet in. Vienna. The Nazis everywhere are confident that the time will soon arrive.” PROSPECT FOR ARCHDUKE OTTO. RETURN NOT BARRED. The official organ, Wiener Zeitung, says the Vienna correspondent of the News-Chronicle, announces that under the , new Austrian constitution the official title of the State will no longer be “the Republic of Austria,” but either “The Federal State of Austria” or simply “Austria.” The law banishing the Hapsburgs will be omitted from the new constitution, according to Prince Stahremberg, Leader of the Heimwehr. This means that, once the law is promulgated, there will be nothing to prevent the ex-Empress Zita and the Archduke Otto from returning to Vienna. However, their return would not necessarily mean the crowning of Otto as King of Austria. “There are not many Austrians who would go to the barricades to bring back Otto,” said Prince Stahremberg. “On the other hand, there are not many Austrians who would go to the barricades to keep him out.” Prince Stahremberg added that under the new constitution Jews would be given the chance of full citizenship, and would be driven out only if they placed the interests of international Jewry before the interests of Austria.