DR SCHUSCHNIGG.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 8

DR SCHUSCHNIGG.

The announcement made in Vienna on June 30 that the former Austrian Chancellor (Dr von Schuschnigg) would be tried in connection with the hanging of several Nazis who were concerned in the murder of Dr Dolfuss appears to be taking practical shape, a statement from Berlin indicating that a law has been enacted, ‘‘providing that former Austrian' Government members and their associates may be tried before a special Vienna State Court for treasonable activities.” Ever since the events of March last Dr Schuschnigg has been under close arrest, and it was recently stated on good authority that his marriage by proxy to Countess von Babenhausen was inspired by a desire that his son by a former marriage should have a mother, so convinced was he that the Nazis were determined to put him to death. It could hardly be anticipated that the man who resisted to his utmost Nazi domination in Austria would escape seathless. A month ago Vienna was ordered to observe the day of national pride to commemorate the assassination of Dr Dollfuss, replacing the memorial observances previously held in his honour. Nothing, a commentator then observed, could better illustrate the wide gulf between the Nazi outlook and British and / other opinion than the honour thus accorded the murderers of the former Chancellor. ‘‘Dr Dollfuss died in a spirit of Christian charity, forgiving his murderefs. Is it too much to Rope that his conquerors will show the same spirit? Dr Schuschnigg is languishing untried in solitary confinement because, like Dr Dollfuss, he did what he saw to be his duty.” Such a trial must add to the many crimes of which the Nazis have been guilty, but it would seem that Dr Schuschnigg’s belief that the extreme penalty will be demanded is not warranted, for “justice” is to be met with deprivation of German citizenship and confiscation of property as reparation for alleged crimes. Derr Ritler, it appears, is careful not to go too far in a matter that in any event must cause a revulsion of feeling against Germany. He himself will appoint the members of the Court, and it may be readily understood that they will receive their instructions carefully. Such a trial can be a farce.