Dollfuss Tragedy Recalled

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 11

Dollfuss Tragedy Recalled

RINTELEN TRIED OH CHARGE OE COMPLICITY

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

VIENNA, March 2.

The trial of Anton Rintelen before a military Court has commenced. Extraordinary precautions are being taken to prevent a disturbance. Soldiers with steel helmets, fixed bayonets, and gas masks arc on duty in the session hall and others (are patrolling the corridors The Public Prosecutor demanded imprisonment. Rintelen pleaded not guilty, lie looked very weak. Three doctors were present during the whole trial to watch his condition.

Rintelen limped slightly, his right arm was in a sling, and his eyes, formerly alert are now dulled. Convulsive movements of his mouth betrayed his nervousness. His memory is also affected.

The principal Judge warned Rintelen that he had freedom to speak, but must not abuse the right. It was essential that important political questions bo treated in the calmest manner to prevent his health suffering, thus necessitating the abandonment of the trial. Tho charges included one that Rintelcn had allegedly confessed to receiving on July 25 a Nazi' courier who told him to proceed to the Chancellery; also that earlier trials had revealed that Rintelen would hand over power to the Nazis.

Dr. Frida, ono of tho .fudges, made an effort throughout the day to secure Rintelon/s conviction for treason on tho grounds of ambition and jealousy of Dr. Dollfuss, also foreknowledge of the Nazi putsch, while the family friends were mostly Nazis. Rintelen staunchly defended himself and denied jealousy or personal differences with Dr. Dollfuss. He declared that Dr. Dollfuss authorised him secretly to negotiate with the Nazis to effect a settlement, but he had not suc-

eeeded because the Government refused to accede to tho Nazis’ demand for an election. He denied an unusually close association with the German Minister at Rome. On the contrary, he saw the British Ambassador more often.

The hearing was adjourned .after six hours owing to Rintelen’s exhaustion. It is expected that the trial' will Teveal happenings hitherto obscure.

Herr Anton Rintslen, 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 foced the announcer to state that Herr Rihtelen was forming a Cabinet. Herr Rintclen, who was stated to be a known friend of the Nazis, was arrested. It' was also stated that a search of Herr Rintclen’s belongings had revealed a list of' members of-a new Cabinet headed by himself. Sentenced to Death ' NAZI ARMS SMUGGLERS VIENNA, March 3. Seventeen Nazis were sentenced to death at' Salzburg for smuggling explosives in July.