WILD SCENES

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

WILD SCENES

HITLER'S TRIUMPH ENTRY TO VIENNA PLAUDITS OF CROWDS TROOPS MARCH PAST OATH OF NEW UNION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright VIENNA, March 14 A wild farewell was accorded to lierr Hitler when he departed from Linz on his 120 miles journey by car to Vienna. The entire road was lined by hundreds of thousands of people, in addition to troops, which gave the Fuehrer's journey the appearance of a triumphal drive, his car proceeding slowly amid a storm of acclamations.

The shouts of peasants: "One people! One Beich! One Fuehrer!" echoed along the whole route. Finally, driving at the salute in his flower-filled car, Herr Hitler reached tho Imperial Hotel in Vienna. He appeared on the balcony of the hotel and acknowledged his frenzied welcome, the plaudits of the crowd being deafening. Frenzied Rejoicing in Capital

"There is no need to await the plebiscite; the nation has spoken to-day!" exclaimed a wireless announcer, in describing the scenes of Herr Hitler's advent.

The Fuehrer, standing on the balcony of the hotel, reviewed a marchpast of Austrian and German troops, whila officers, officials and workers mingled in the crowd and joyously embraced each other. Herr Hitler, after retiring to his suite to receive the homage of the new President of Austria, Dr. Inquart, and the national leaders, repeatedly reappeared on the balcony, amid rolling bursts of cheers. After hours of frantic singing and cheering by the crowd, Herr Hitler delivered a short address. "Reich Will Never Fall Asunder"

"My German co-nationals, what you feel this moment I also have been feeling for the past few days," the Fuehrer said. "Whatever happens, the Reich will never fall asunder. Nobody can force it from its path. No threat, no misery, no violence will cause this oath to be broken. "We are now 74.000,000 persons with one Reich. This oath is sworn by Germans from Cologne to Koenigsberg, and from Hamburg to Vienna. The great historic turning point has come to tho German Nation. The whole of that nation experiences what you are living through, which deeply moves all its millions."

FORMER CHANCELLOR

FUTURE LIBERTY SON AS GERMAN HOSTAGE RF.PORT OF OFFER DECLINED (Received March 15, 5.5 p.m.) LOXDOX, March 15 A message from Vienna says the Ministry of Propaganda states that the former Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, is being conducted to the frontier. He will be allowed to go abroad, probably to Hungary.

The News Chronicle says that in spite of this announcement at least three Governments concerned have learned that Dr. Schuschnigg is still held in Vienna.

It appears that the German authorities expressed a readiness to release him, but at the last moment demanded as a pledge of his discretion that his 11-year-ola son Kurt must remain in Vienna. In other words, the boy was to be a hostage for Dr. Schuschnigg's silence.

Dr. Schuschnigg declined his freedom on these conditions, saying: "My conscience is clear. I prefer to face my accusers." BRITISH DIPLOMAT RETURN THOUGHT UNLIKELY LONDON, March 14 The British Minister in Vienna, Mr. C. M. Palairet, who has been recalled to London to consult the Government, may not return, to Austria. Possibly he will be replaced by Consular representatives, in view of the fact that Austria is no longer an independent State. CONSUL RESIGNS (Received March 15, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 14 The Austrian Consul-General in Paris refused to hoist the Swastika flag and has resigned.