AUSTRIA’S CONFUSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19025, 27 May 1936, Page 14

AUSTRIA’S CONFUSION

DIVIDED DICTATORSHIP PARTXERSHJP QUARREL LONDON, May 12. For the first time since the establishment of the. Dictatorship in Austria, the quarrel between the two partners in the dictatorship—the Heimwchr Fascists and Hie Clerical followers of the Chancellor, Dr. Schusclinigg— has been openly expressed in street demonstrations and violence. The outbursts are evidence of differences behind the scenes between Prince Starhemberg, the Vice-Chancellor and Iloimwehr leader, and Dr. Sehuschnigg. who is anti-Italian, and is evolving a policy of giving Austria greater stability by a mom democratic regime. Sir Austen Chamberlain is reported to have shown great interest in this policy on bis recent visit to Vienna. Prince Starhemberg, on the other hand, is a disciple of Signor Mussolini, and believes in dictatorship. He realises that more democratic rule can be achieved only at his and Italy’s expense. Dr. Schusclinigg wants the Heimwchr to be disarmed. To this proposal Prince Starhemberg recently replied: “Only over mv dead body.’’ The occasion of the violent, demonstration was the annual rally of the Freiheitslnind (League of Freedom), which is an organisation of Roman Catholic working men. This, together with Prince Starhcmbcrg’s Fascist Heimwehr and Dr. Schusclinigg’s- own storm troopsi, form the three . armed auxiliary organisations, which are always supposed to be in course of dissolution and absorption in a united Fascist militia commanded by Prince Starhemberg, but which continue to lead separate existences. Many Heimwehr men were arrested in a counterdemonstration, but later were released on the order of Prince Starhemberg. Dr. Schusclinigg was indignant when he heard of the Heimwehr’s action, and lie marched, with his Roman Catholics, round the Ringstrasse.