Austria Now Reich State

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 7

Austria Now Reich State

Hitler Wildly Acclaimed

Century-old Dream Realised

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright:

. VIENNA, March 15. Herr Hitler made a triumphal drive to Helden Platz. A vast crowd roared a greeting. Dr. Inquart, the Austrian President, addressed Herr Hitler as “My Fuhrer.” He added: “As the last head of the Austrian State I announce the legal execution of the German nation’s will. Austria is now a federal State of the Reich. A century-old dream has come true.”

Herr Hitler was thunderously greeted. He significantly addressed his hearers: “German men and German women.”

He added: “The significance of this revolution will be appraised only by later generations. I now proclaim a new mission for this land. This Ostmark” (Austria’s ancient name) ’’is the youngest bulwark of the German Reich. For centuries the eastern frontiers of Ostmark have withstood the onslaughts of enemies: centuries hence they must defend the Reich, and I know they will fulfil the task. Our task is the common work of solving economic and social problems and to make Austria a stronghold of National Socialist ideals. I thank Dr. Inquart and the countless members of his party who have proved that Germans become harder under pressure.

... “ NW 1 can K ive an account of the greatest achievement of my ~e. Fuhrer and Chancellor of the German nation, I report to history the return of my homeland to the Keich.” The crowd went wild at the conclusion of Herr Hitler’s speech singing “Deutschland Über Alles” and the Horst Wessel song. ’ Herr von Eibbentrop, German Foreign Minister, has taken over the Austrian Foreign Office. Dr. Inquart has been proclaimed Reich Statthalter, corresponding to the governorship of a German State. Herr Julius Strcicher, the has left for Vienna to direct anti-Jewish measures.

AUSTRIAN ARMY ABSORBED Jews Dismissed GP'M JEST ON PRESSMEN VIENNA, March 15. The Minister of Justice, Herr Frank Hueber, has issued a decree dismissing all Jewish or half-Jewish notaries. Cardinal Innitzer, who is a Sudeten German, discussed with Herr Hitler the position of the Catholic Church in Austria, where, it is understood, 90 per cent, of the population is Catholic. It is stated that Herr Hitler, in the course of the interview, gave the cardinal asaurances. General Walther von Brauchitsch, Commander in Chief of the German * Army, has issued an army order: “From to-day the Austrian Federal Army will become part of the German Army.” » Herr Himmler, German Chief of Police, has taken over the Austrian Police Force, which will be reorganised. In the meantime, German police are in control. Storm troops and other Nazis are picketing many Jewish shops. Jews are forbidden to participate in the plebiscite on April 10. 1 A grim jest was played on all foreign correspondents who called at the Foreign Office to receive permits to report to-day’s happenings. They were turned back at the point of the bayonet as thev were leaving and were detained for an hour. No reason was given. The correspondents were permitted to leave the Chancellery after Herr Hitler’s arrival mt Helden Platz. NAZI OFFICIALS POWERLESS LEGATIONS SECURE RELEASE Received Wednesday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, March 15. Referring to the detention of foreign •o respondents. the Daily Telegraph's Vienna correspondent says: “We were . all confined to the Chancellery under the threat of the German officer commanding the guard that he would shoot if anybody left. Austrian Nazi officials at the Chancellery were powerless to secure our release, and it was not until fin hour later when we discovered the telephone and rang up the various legations that we were allowed to go." BRITISH POLICY -NO CLEAR LEAD GIVEN’ 1 (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 15. 1 The Leader of the Opposition, Mr C. R. Attlee, asked Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons if he would be in a position to-morrow to make a stateme.it m ‘he Government’s policy in relation* to international affairs. “No. I do not think I shall,” replied Mr Chamberlain. Mr Attlee then suggested that the House had been left with no clear lead yesterday. He referred to the speech of Mr R. A. Butler, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs which had suggested that a further statement might be made. Mr Chamberlain replied that it had not been suggested that a statement would be made this week. He had himS«lf said that a new situation had arisen which would have to receive the consideration of the Government, but “1 should not like to pledge myself to a new cut-and-dried policy at a given moment,” he added. He gave an assurance that the matter was under constant consideration. HITLER WILL REPAY IRATITUDE TO MUSSOLINI Received Wednesday, 10 p.m. MILAN, March 16. Herr Hitler, interviewed by the Popoio d’ltalia, commented thus on Italy’s attitude towards Austrian affairs: “I will never forget what Italy has done. The whole German I people will never forget what Mussolini and Italy have done. J Our friendship is above all forffiali- ; ties. The Rome-Berlin axis is stronger than ever. We are ready to show our friendship and gratitude should Italy ever be in need." i

BRITAIN’S PROBLEM Will She Stand by Pledge to Czechoslovakia. * DOMINIONS' CONCERN LONDON, March 15. The Australian Associated Press says it is understood that the Dominions’ High Commissioners have asked Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax to grant them an interview. This request is a sequel to the vital turn the European situation has taken, for the Dominions’ position can be summed up thus: France, by reaffirming the pledges guaranteeing Czechoslovakia’s integrity and independence, has faced Britain with the necessity for an early decision whether she stand by Czechoslovakia in the event of aggression or remain aloof. It is a fundamental issue extending far beyond Czechoslovakia’s position, because Britain, in having to decide for or against isolation in central Europe, is simultaneously confronted with deciding the momentous principle of wheI ther to join in with other Powers or stand firm against a recurrence of happenings similar to last week-end. This decision necessitates a new declaration of foreign policy from Mr Chamberlain. The new situation has a vital bearing on the Imperial Conference foreign affairs discussions of 1937 when it was generally believed that the Dominions vigorously opposed any intervention in Europe likely to embroil Britain. The Dominions probably now have to decide whether to support Britain standing by Czechoslovakia by collective security through the League of Nations, or prefer Britain to remain aloof. Whatever is decided may involve an approach to the European situation different from the Imperial Conference. Britain is unlikely to take any decision without receiving the Dominion’s acquiesence. Austria Major Problem STRONG AMERICAN VIEW Received Wednesday, 9.30 p.m. NEW YORK, March 16. Messrs. Roosevelt and Hull recognise that Austria's extinction sets a major diplomatic problem to the United States, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. The implications of the expected recognition may be far reaching, as no one here is under any delusion that Herr Hitler's coup was made possible other than by military force. In this respect Washington's views are similar to Mr. CharnLerlain's. {Should the Stimson non-recognition doctrine be departed from in the case of Austria serious consideration might be given here to making a fresh start •ii international relations on the basis of the world situation as it exists and from the viewpoint that sounder progress towards peace could be made oy dealing in stark realities, however unpaiataole they may be. An important statement is expected from Mr. Hull on Thursday when He will make a world broadcast, whicn " ill be translated into German, French, •'Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. The Washington Evening {Star sharply assails the view that the rape of Austria does not concern the United {States. "If statesmanship cannot evolve the wisdom and generate the courage to let Hitler know we resent the enslavement of the Danube, it is time to remove the eagle from our coat of arms and substitute an ostrich or bat or both," it states. HERR HITLER AT MUNICH VIENNA, March 15. Herr Hitler, after an appearance on the balcony of an hotel, left for Munich by air. A Munich message says that Herr Hitler arrived by plane and was met by an escort of bombers. Cheering thousands lined the streets. Herr Hitler placed a wreath on a monument to Nazis killed in 1923. He will spent the night in Munich.