GERMAN ATTITUDE

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

GERMAN ATTITUDE

REQUEST FROM BRITAIN AN UNDERTAKING SOUGHT REFERRED TO HERR HITLER (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Mail says it is understood that Viscount Halifax yesterday asked Herr von Ribbentrop for an undertaking from the German Government that it would not try to influence the Austrian plebiscite. A similar request was sent to Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador in Berlin, for submisi sion to the German Government. Herr ven Ribbentrop replied that he could not give such an undertaking without consulting Herr Hitler, which he would do immediately he returned to Berlin. He added that the German Government did not regard the plebiscite as either fair or "free," as the age limit of 24 barred many Nazi sympathisers from voting. A message from Berlin states that the first news of the Austrian plebiscite appeared in the afternoon in a brief official summary. The newspapers generally ask: "Why the haste? How can a true index of feeling be obtained when there are no voting lists and no control, and the voting is open to all sorts of abuses?" FRIENDSHIP BROKEN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA AN APPARENT RESULT (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, March 10 The Berlin correspondent of the Times says the Austrian plebiscite is the subject of conferences between Herr Hitler and his advisers. Whatever Germany may do, Dr. Schuschnigg's action appears to have ended the friendly relations between Germany and Austria thought to have been inaugurated at the meeting between Herr Hitler and Dr. Schuschnigg at Berchtesgaden. MUSSOLINI CONFIDENT CHECK TO PRO-GERMANS (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10 The British United Press representa- ! tive in Rome says official circles there i believe that Signor Mussolini advised Dr. Schuschnigg to "jump the gun" by taking a plebiscite before the Nazis' Anschluss Day on March 27. Signor Mussolini is confident that the plebiscite will be overwhelmingly in favour of Dr. Schuschnigg, who will thereafter bo in a stronger position to check pro-German activities. Another Rome message states that an authoritative observer 6aid:—-"ltaly considers the plebiscite an internal affair. Wo are merely observers."