AUSTRIAN CALL FOR HELP REPORTED

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 5

AUSTRIAN CALL FOR HELP REPORTED

POWERS’ INQUIRY AT BERLIN

France Disturbed At Italy’s Silence BRIBE FROM HITLER SUSPECTED BARGAIN OVER SPAIN AND MEDITERRANEAN? lUntted Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received Feb. 17, 10.50 p.m). LONDON, February 17. The Daily Mail says that Britain and France, after discussions, asked Germany for information about Austria. The Daily Herald states that the Austrian Chancellor (Dr Kurt Schnsrhnigg) will appeal to Britain and France, asking if they can do anything to help him. Official circles in France are chiefly disturbed at Signor Mussolini’s failure to defend Austria, says the Paris correspondent of the News Chronicle. If H Duce received a price for silence it is feared that the bargain will soon be revealed in Spain or the Mediterranean, but the opinion is expressed that Signor Mussolini may be cowed by Herr Hitler

and unable to assume further responsibility because of Abyssinia and Spain. Opinions in the London Press on the German-Austrian agreement vary.

The Times does not appears alarmed. The Daily Mail regards the agreement as ending friction and says that Europe breathes more freely. The Daily Telegraph sees in Herr Hitler’s action the old method of the mailed fist.

“The agreement can be judged only by what it contributes to the stability of Central Europe,” says The Times. “No treaty could ever take Austria permanently from the German orbit. No one but a fanatic will be persuaded that Nazism as practised in Germany can ever spontaneously take strong roots in Austrian soil or that Austria could ever become a convinced and willing partner in a system not her own. “It would be hard, therefore, to prophesy finality for the compromise. Too little may easily be allowed for the strength of a natural resistance, now and in the future, to ideals and passions forced upon an unwillmg people.” MUSSOLINI AND SPAIN The Rome correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says that there is complete silence in Italian official circles. It is well known that Signor Mussolini’s policy for the independence of Austria has been entirely modified. He knew on Saturday after the meeting at Berchtesgaden exactly what the situation was going to be. It is thought that Herr Hitler assured Signor Mussolini of the fact that Austria’s independence would be saved and he would continue to support II Duce in Spain. Officials in Berlin do not disguise their jubilation at having driven a wedge into the long-resisting Austrian Government, hailing the reshuffle as a victory for Hitler. It is openly admitted that the Nazis have gained greater influence in the Cabinet than is at first apparent. France regards the Austrian changes as one of the most decisive steps in the European situation, opening the way to German influence in the Balkans.

The Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) in the House of Commons said that he believed that the agreement between Austria and Germany contained undertakings on a variety of subjects but till the text was available he could not make a further statement. Meanwhile, he was closely following the development. Britain desired peace and good understanding in Central Europe as elsewhere. The British, French and Italian declaration of 1934 reaffirmed 'their interest in the integrity and independence of Austria.

The developments in the Austrian situation are being studied in London with close interest, says a British Official Wireless message. More authoritative circles feel it is too soon to express the view that the terms accepted mark the end of Austria’s real independence. Confidence is displayed in Dr Schuschnigg’s disinterestedness and loyalty and it is recalled that during the years he has been Chancellor he has shown exceptional skill in steering the country through the difficult times prevailing. The view is that he can be relied upon therefore to do what he thinks best in the present difficult circumstances.

Some surprise is shown that Italy appears to have made no move during the developments which appeared to affect Austria’s independence, the maintenance of. which has always been regarded as of special interest and concern to Italy.