NAZI REVELS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 11

NAZI REVELS

SCENES _AT GRAZ BIG PROCESSION 20,000 DEMONSTBATOBS HERR HITLER AS IDOL POBTEAIT SALUTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 00. 8.5 p.m.) VIENNA, Feb. 20 Huge Nazi demonstrations were held last night at Graz, capital of Styria—a Nazi stronghold. They began with , 1000 youths in a torchlight procession shouting Nazi slogans. The news of the demonstrations immediately spread to neighbouring towns and villages, accompanied by a report that the Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, had resigned and that Dr. Inquart had become Chancellor.

Tho result was that thousands of people flocked into Graz until it was estimated that 20,000 were parading in the streets, holding up the traffic, singing Nazi songs and shouting: "One people, one Reich." Hundreds of the demonstrators waved the Swastika flag. Nazis directed the traffic. They installed a huge portrait of Herr Hitler on the Town Hall and marched past saluting it. Non-Nazis kept indoors.

Major demonstrations were held elsewhere in Austria. The Graz broadcasting station interrupted its programme to announce that Dr. Schuschnigg had not resigned. AUSTRIAN NAZIS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES EXTRAORDINARY RUMOUR ASSASSINATION CONSPIRACY (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) VIENNA, Feb. 19 On behalf of the Fatherland Front the Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, officially warned the Austrian Nazis that they would be expelled from Austria if they continued their illegal activities. He said the Nazis must profess their faith in an independent, self-sufficient. Christian, corporative and authoritarian Austria. Three Austrians were arrested yesterday for distributing a banned Nazi newspaper. After an interview with the French Ambassador Dr. Schuschnigg had a lengthy conference with Herr Schmidt, the new Foreign Minister. The British Minister, Mr. C. M. Palairet, visited Herr Schmidt in the forenoon. It is understood that he officially communicated the definition given by the British* Foreign Secretary. Mr. Eden, in the House of Commons, of Britain's interest in Austria's independence. An extraordinary rumour is sweeping through the cafes to the effect that Dr. Schuschnigg confronted Herr Hitler with documentary evidence of a plot to assassinate himself, members of the Austrian Cabinet and also Herr von Papen, German Ambassador. A Jewish telegraph agency says it learns on semi-official authority that there will be no discrimination against Austrian Jewry. FATHERLAND FRONT ACTIVITIES UNHAMPERED RELEASE OF PRISONERS LONDON. Feb. 18 A message from Vienna says an official Report states that Austrian Nazis nay conduct legal activities within the framework of the Fatherland Front and all other Austrian organisations, but these activities must be based on the Constitution, which, as previously, excludes political parties. Germany will exclude interference in the internal affairs of Austria, which does not contribute to satisfactory development. No further measures connected with the Berchtesgaden talks «re expected. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that the Nazis, ' endeavouring to extort further conces<ions from the Government, have secured the removal of the chief of the fatherland Front's propaganda. Herr v ßaeck. The release of political prisoners continued until the entire 700 were* liberated, including the terrorist, Fritz Woitsche, who was conducted to the frontier as an undesirable, Dr. Leopold Taws, arrested for high treason against Germany, Herr von Rintelcn and 50 others sentenced for the plot against the late Dr. Dolfuss, including two ■entenced to imprisonment for life. A message from Paris says it is understood that the French Government Pointed out to Britain the seriousness of the Central European situation and *uggested immediate talks between Britain and France on the matter.

AGGRESSIVE PRESS BITTER JIBE AT BRITAIN ITALY'S VIEWS CONTRASTED (Receiver! February 20, 5.6 p.m ) BERLIN. Feb. lf> Diplomatische Korrespondenz. voices tlio views of the German Foreign Office, contrasts Italy's Igptoble views" on Germany's action in Austria with the dissatisfaction of the Vi" es tcrn Powers;" newspaper says: "The British Vrarliament cannot hide its anger. They apparently pondering there on how ®.V can interfere in this development l|||fe frays and means which would bo fluite out of the questipn in their relawith their own Dominions. The has definitely passed to claim jWwrdi&nship 0 f any kind over the ;*l®rman nation."