Ultimatum From Berlin

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 61, 14 March 1938, Page 7

Ultimatum From Berlin

Vienna Tells Army: “ Resistance is Useless ?? VIENNA, March 11. The Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg, in a broadcast address, announced his resignation. He added that the Austrian Army was temporarily in control of the country’s destinies. Dr. von Schuschnigg said: “1 yield to brute force. I must avoid bloodshed. I have instructed our troops to recede before the German troops and to await further developments. I have handed over my power to the President.” It is confirmed that Germany issued an ultimatum that if Dr. von Schuschnigg did not resign German troops would cross the frontier. The ultimatum also demanded the appointment of s Chancellor agreeable to Germany. The Austrian Home Minister, Dr. Seyss Inquart, broadcasting, said that the Austrian Army had been instructed not to opposi German troops if they entered Austria. Dr. Inquart adjured Aus trians to keep the peace, saying: “Resistance is useless,” The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Vienna correspondent says: ‘‘.Well-informed quarters state that they are advised reliably that the first detachments of German troops have crossed the Aus-trian-German frontier. Herr Zernatto, secretary-general of the Fatherland Front, in a broadcast address, stated that Herr Hitler had threatened an armed invasion of Austria. His ultimatum demanded the resignation of Cabinet and the appointment of a Government of Herr Hitler’s choice. The President, Herr Miklas, then ordered Dr- von Schuschnigg to "yield to force.” BERLIN’S EXPLANATION OF TROOP MOVES. It is explained in Berlin that the troop movements in Bavaria are due to the necessity of strengthening the frontier forces for the maintenance of order in view of the possibility of disturbances at the week-end. A message from Munich states that schools have been closed and converted into reservist barracksA Berlin official message states that the closing of the Austro German frontier is contemplated in the interests of order. Although the German Government admits only ‘‘insignificant troop movements”, thousands of members of the Reichswehr, with field artillery, are on the march to the frontier. Herr Hitler presided over a two-hour conference of the Council of Foreign Affairs. The Berlin Official News Agency is whipping-up hostility towards Austria with the publication of reports of the arrival in. Germany of the first refugees from Austria, many of whom had been ‘‘brutally manhandled.” The German Press outcry against the Austrian plebiscite is in full blast- The plebiscite is described as a brazen mockery of democracy and a monstrosity. PLEBISCITE POSTPONED: NAZIS TAKE CHARGE. It is officially announced in Vienna that the plebiscite has been postponed indefinitely owing to the movements of German troops on the Austrian frontier. The situation is very tense. The entire Federal Militia, totalling 25,000, has been mobilised and is being despatched to the vincesWhen asked whether the plebiscite would be postponed as a result of the German ultimatum, the Government spokesman replied: ‘‘l leave that to your imagination.” The news of the postponement came as a bombshell to the authorities in provincial towns, who had been resisting the Nazis’ attempts to demonstrate. They suddenly capitulated, and the Nazis took charge of. events. They occupied the Graz Town Hall and hoisted the Nazi flag. Police and troops withdrew- Thousands are demonstrating in the streets of Vienna, and their numbers are growing every moment. Earlier in the day, youthful Nazis raided the Christian Hostel in Vienna and fired revolvers at the inmates, wounding two youths. YOUTHS MURDERED BY NAZIS. Similar demonstrations occurred at Linz, where Nazi youngsters wounded eight youths at the Fatherland Front Hostel, three fatallyThe disorders arose from shots fired at Nazis from the headquarters of the Fatherland Front. The Nazis besieged the building but withdrew on being promised that the shooters would be arrested. At least 25,000 Nazis dominated Graz for six hours. They repeatedly broke the ranks of the police. At Innsbruck, several hundred police armed with bayonets and sabres were engaged in a battle with 15,000 Nazis, many wearing Storm Troop uniforms, who broke the police cordon and barbed-wire barricades in the centre of the city- Machine-awns were placed in the front of the Town Hall. The extent of the casualties is not yet known.