NAZIS RIOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22985, 12 March 1938, Page 13

NAZIS RIOT

AUSTRIAN CRISIS TROOPS_ENGAGED (VIENNA PANDEMONIUM hitler sends envoy TALK WITH MINISTER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 11, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 Despatches from Vienna state that feverish activity ruled in Austrian Government circles yesterday. Officials have been preparing for the plebiscite and having conferences with the Nazis. Several hundred Nazis late in the afternoon attempted to storm the building containing the Fatherland Front offices. They smashed the door and a number of windows before they were dispersed by the police. Nazi crowds rioted elsewhere, and mounted troops were called out. Several Serious Clashes The whole city at midnight was still covered with demonstrators. Serious clashes occurred in several districts. Two people were stabbed. A policeman was dragged from his horse and assaulted. The police charged with their sabres and arrested the culprit. Motor-cars were held u,5 and the nincfows smashed, the occupants being abused because it was presumed they were Jews. Nazis also invaded the Jewish quarter and assaulted j a number of Jews.

All police reserves have been called •ot and it is expected that martial law .will be proclaimed. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph - says Nazis yesterday created pandemonium in the centre of the gity in the hope of shaking Dr. Schuschnigg's courage. The Kaerntner Sfcrasse and the neighbourhood of the Opera House were scenes of indescribable disorder. The police at night closed the whole of the inner city. The Government has decided to take strong measures against outbreaks. Hitler Acclaimed A. message from Graz states that the Nazis are burning in bonfires all Fatherland Front literature and parading the streets shouting, "Down with Schuschnigg. Our Fuehrer is Hitler." Herr Hitler sent a special envoy to Vienna, Herr Keppler, who conferred with Dr. S. Inquart, Minister of the Interior, for several hours. He later returned to Berlin. In the meantime Nazi leaders have sent a protest to the President, Dr. Miklas, stating that they consider the plebiscite is illegal and that they have ordered their followers to abstain from voting. In Government circles it is believed that the President will reply that the decision of the Nazis does not alter the irituation. PREVENTING DISORDERS ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS NAZIS OPENLY DEFIANT (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 10 Elaborate precautions are being taken in Austria to prevent disorders, which are seriously feared. The Nazis are already adopting a belligerent attitude aid openly broadcasting that they will prevent the poll by force. Messages from Budapest and Prague indicate that Austria's neighbours are on the tiptoe of excitement, regarding the. plebiscite as the climax of a year's tension. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Dr. Schuschnigg conferred' with Dr. Inquart, Minister of the Interior, who is rcportsd to have threatened to resign unless the plebiscite is called off and more Nazis are included in the Cabinet. The authorities have refused to allow Dr. Inquart to broadcast a talk about the plebiscite on the ground that no Useful purpose would be served. THREATS TO PEACE CANNOT BE TOLERATED Times Cable LONDON, March 10 The Vienna correspondent of the Times reports that Dr. Schuschnigg said: "Threats and attempts at intimidation being made here and there Under the cloak of patriotic sentiment cannot bo tolerated. They would disturb the peace, for I cannot demand friends to keep quiet if the other side does not keep exactly to the letter and spirit of what has been agreed B PQn and made known." HITLER OUTWITTED PARIS PRESS OPINION PARIS, March 10 Paris newspapers agree that Dr. Schuschnigg; has outwitted Herr Hitler. They also agree that he was wise to cut out the votes of turbulent young•rt®rs by fixing at 24 the age limit for in the plebiscite.