OUT OF OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22987, 15 March 1938, Page 11

OUT OF OFFICE

PRESIDENT RESIGNS REPLACED BY DR. INQUART * PLEBISCITE ON APRIL 10 By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received March 14, 8.5 p.m.) VIENNA, March 13 The President, Dr. Hildas, has resigned, and Dr. Inquart lias assumed the Presidency. It is officially announced that the plebiscite on the proposed union with Germany will be held on April 10. All men and women over the age of 20 will be allowed to vote.

It is also announced that Austria will become a State of the German Reich. It is officially stated that Dr. Miklas resigned the Presidency at the request of Dr. Inquart. His resignation was almost a foregone conclusion owing to his support of Dr. Schuschnigg. It is stated that Herr Hitler delayed his entry to Vienna owing to Dr. Miklas refusing to meet him. GERMANS IN AUSTRIA AIDING EUROPEAN PEACE A POWERFUL FACTOR COUNT VON LUCKNER'S VIEW A powerful factor toward the peace of Europe, and also for the ultimate good of Austria, is seen by Count Felix von Luckner in the German invasion of Austria. Count von Luckner, who has been visiting Auckland, said yesterday that in his opinion the German coup was a wise move, calculated to bring new life to a country that was not enjoying prosperity, and also to help maintain the peace of Europe. "I am not a politician, but I have been in Austria and have friends there, and know something about the country," Count von Luckner said. Ho explained that the great Austrian Empire that was once a major Power no longer existed. Parts of the country had been taken over by other European countries, and all that remained of Austria was Vienna and the mountains.

The total population of Austria was 7,000,000, and of this number 4,000,000 people lived in greater Vienna, Count von Luekner continued. The remaining 3,000,000, living in country that was not the most suitable for primary production, could not maintain the vast capital, and as a result many of the people were in sore straits, and numbers had left the country. In his own experience it had been necessary to send supplies of staple foods to somo of his friends in Austria. It was believed that the plebiscite that was to have been taken in Austria, concerning the future of the country, would not have been a fair ballot, the count continued. "Yea" papers had been printed, and those who wished to vote "No" had to applyrfor a special form. This would enable the applicants to be identified, and there was also the possibility that their papers would be destroyed after they had voted.

Count von Luckner said he believed that had there been a normal type of ballot, with the two issues set out on the voting paper, and the voters required to strike out one or the other, there would have been a majority for Germany. He felt that the action taken by Germany in the sudden coup met with the approval of the majority of the people of Austria. TWO DICTATORS EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES IL DUCE'S CONGRATULATIONS (Received March 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 13 A message from Vienna 6tates that an announcer, interrupting a broadcast, read, without explanation, a telegram sent by Herr Hitler to Signor Mussolini, reading:—"l shall never forget this of you. Adolf Hitler." 1 The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph discloses that Herr Hitler's thanks wore in reply to a telegram from 11 Duce, saying: "I congratulate you on the way in which you have solved the Austrian problem. I had already warned Dr. Schuschnigg."