WORLD CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22988, 16 March 1938, Page 13

WORLD CRISIS

AUSTRIAN COUP NAZIS' INVASION BRITISH REACTION INDEPENDENCE ISSUE INTEREST DEFENDED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, March 14 The House of Commons was crowded in every part to day when the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, who, on entering, was greeted with a roar of sympathetic cheers, rose to make his statement on Austria.

The statement was heard for the most part in attentive silence, but cheers greeted a passage in which Mr. Chamberlain rebutted the German Government's contention that the British Government was not within its rights in interesting itself in the independence of. Austria. Mr. Chamberlain began his statement by a recapitulation of tho events of the last few flays. He made the point that tho result of the Berchtesgaden meeting had been stated by Herr Hitler to be an extension of the framework of the agreement of July, 1936, which provided for the recognition of Austria's independence by Germany. "Whatever, therefore, were the results of the Berchtesgaden meeting, it is clear that the agreement reached was still on the basis of the independence of Austria," said Mr. Chamberlain. Warnings Given to Germany

"The Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, saw Herr von Ribbentrop, the German Ambassador, on March 10, and addressed to him a grave warning on the Austrian situation and upon what appeared to be the policy of the German Government regarding it. "The British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson, registered a protest in strong terms with the German Government against such use of coercion backed by force against an independent State in order to create a situation incompatible with its national independence. "I made earnest representations in the same sense to Herr von Rfbbentrop with whom Lord Halifax also had two further interviews," continued the Prime Minister. Britain's Rights in Matter Denied Mr. Chamberlain came then to the German reply, in which Baron von Neurath, head of the secret Cabinet Council, had stated:—"The British Government is not within its rights in claiming tho role of prot.octor of tho independence of Austria. In the course of diplomatic conversations regarding the Austrian question the German Go\'ernment never left the British Government in doubt thai; the form of relations between the Beicli and Austria can only be regarded as an internal affair of the German people, which is of no concern to a third Power. "For this reason the German Government must reject as inadmissible the protest lodged by Britain, even though it is only conditional."

The German Xot<3 further denied that forcible pressure had been brought to bear on Dr. Schuschnigg, and declared that the account of the ultimatums on which the British protest was conditionally based was "pure imagination." WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS AFTER CERTAIN PERIOD • BRITAIN'S SOLEMN VIEW (Rpceived March 15. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 15 Replying to the debate in the House of Commons., the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. R. A. Butler, said it was impossible to express how solemnly the Government felt on the subject of the withdrawal of troops from Austria, the position of the Catholics, Jews and Socialists, and what importance it attached to the representations it had macki in favour of clemency and toleration.

The Government had received reports that the German Army would be withdrawn after a certain period, when normalcy was restored. Further representations had been made on the subject of the amalgamation of the Austrian and German forces. The Government had received assurances that every effort would be used to ensure a sense of moderation in the treatment of Catholics, Jews and Socialists, Britain, while recognising frankly the limitations of the League of Nations, was determined to do all possible to extend its influences. It would be prejudicial to the League's interests to bring the case of Austria before it. REPORTS IN GERMANY STATEMENT DISTORTED (Received March Jo, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 15 The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the version of Mr. Chamberlain's speech issued by the German press deletes nil reference to violence and illegality and the annexation of Austria. The introductory review of the speech is distorted. It concludes with the statement that the speech was characterised by a noticeable lack of acquaintance with the course of events. FRANCE DISAPPOINTED (Rpceived March 15 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 15 France is somewhat disappointed about Mr, Chamberlain's speech. It is considered that it leaves England's intentions too equivocal. CROWDS DEMONSTRATE (Received March 15, 5,5 p.m.) LONDON, March 15 Large crowds of demonstrators assembled outside the House of Commons, many shouting "Chamberlain must go." The police were busy dispersing them until midnight.