THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1935. AUSTRIA AND THE NAZIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21987, 23 June 1933, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1935. AUSTRIA AND THE NAZIS

The suggestion that Germany in her present mood is a disturber of the peace of Europe might well appear to be corroborated at the moment by the tense situation in Austria and by the watch that is being maintained on the Austro-German frontier. The traditional bond between these two countries has not prevented their relations being subjected to an increasing strain since Hitlerism achieved its political triumph throughout the German Reich. The Nazi victory in Germany has stimulated a strong attempt at self-assertion on the part of the Nazis in Austria, who regard Hitler, a native of their country, as their leader. In this they have undoubtedly had a large measure of support from Germany. The movement towards “ Anschluss,” in its minor significance a Customs union between the two countries, but embracing also the idea of a complete union, though that is forbidden by the Versailles Treaty, has the enthusiastic support of German and Austrian Nazis. Herr Hitler has always refused to recognise Germany and Austria as two different nations, but has been credited with exercising restraint in the expression of his views on this question through fear of incurring the hostility of Italy. Early in March, after receipt of the news of the victory of Hitlerism in Germany, the Austrian Nazis demanded the immediate resignation of the Dolfuss Cabinet, which they accused of selling Austria to France, and the formation of a new Government. They published a manifesto declaring that the frontier posts between Austria and Germany must be tom up and that the treaties separating the two countries should be “ scrapped.” An outcome was the investment of Dr Dolfuss and his Government with dictatorial powers, which have since been exercised with a good deal of vigour for the suppression of efforts on the part of political extremists to undermine the position of their country. When Herr von Papen and Captain Goering went to Rome to confer with the Pope and Signor Mussolini, Dr Dolfuss lost no time in following in their train, with the intention, it was conjectured, of making sure “that no intrigues concerning ‘ Anschluss ’ had taken place.” The Italian dictator would seem to have other ideas than that of an Austro-German union. He has no desire to see a highly nationalistic State with a population of over seventy millions brought to the door of Italy, where thousands of restless Germans, living in the Tyrol, might be desirous of throwing, off the yoke of Italian Fascism. This morning he, is credited in our cable messages with a proposal for the re-establishment of a Hapsburg monarchy under which Austria and Hungary would be reunited. The report is given with so much circumstance as to suggest its authenticity, but the adoption of the proposal might have effects so far-reaching that it would be unwise as yet to assume that there is any likelihood of its being accepted. Meanwhile, various incidents connected with Nazi activities in Austria, and the measures taken to discourage and counteract them, have had the effect of creating an increasingly tense situation, in which the Government of Germany, as well as that of Austria, has become to some extent involved. When the Austrian Government took a step which it deemed necessary in arresting Herr Habicht, who was regarded as Herr Hitler’s chief emissary in Austria, though he had no official status, the German Government retaliated by arresting and deporting Dr Wasserbaeek, a member of the Austrian Legation at Berlin. , The determination of Dr Dolfuss to resist strongly all attempts to bring Austria under Nazi domination has been expressed in both deed and word. In the course of an interview in London, to which he made a flying visit to attend the World Economic Conference, he said: “I am convinced that we can hold back Hitlerism. The impressive fact is that Hitlerite propaganda has awakened a distinctive Austrian national spirit Avhich is being developed daily.” In this struggle the Austrian Government will not lack the sympathy of other Powers. The Austrian Nazis have brought upon themselves the measures which have been instituted against them. There is something dramatic in the manner in which Germany has been so quickly transformed from the friend of Austria to the apparent enemy. In the light of the present situation it may well

seem that the Nazis as a whole have overreached themselves, and weakened rather than strengthened the prospects for the complete Germanisation of Austria. Whatever Herr Hitler’s ambitions may be—and no doubt they are of a vaulting character —he has need to walk warily, and propaganda, as the case of Austria plainly shows, is a dangerous weapon.