RESULT OF NAZI DOMINANCE

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 7

RESULT OF NAZI DOMINANCE

Military Pact With Germany Probable FURTHER CONCESSIONS TO BERLIN SCHUSCHNIGG “TERRIFIED” AT BERCHTESGADEN (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received. Feb. 18, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. The Vienna correspondent of the British United Press says that the Christian Socialists, the strongest supporters of the Chancellor (Dr Kurt Schuschnigg), declare that there is no occasion for Austria to leave the League of Nations as a result of the surrender to Germany’s demands, but the Berlin correspondent of The Times considers that this question must arise. The Vienna correspondent of The Daily Mail conjectures that Austria must leave the League so that an Austro-German military alliance will be concluded. Dr Schuschnigg will' reshuffle the General Staff. After a meeting with Herr Hitler, the new Austrian Home Minister (Dr von Seyse Inquart) had a long conversation with Herr Heinrich Himmler, chief of the German secret police. One of the earliest steps towards the “Nazification” of Austria is expected to be the incorporation of the illegal Storm Troops within the Austrian Patriotic Front. The Vienna correspondent of the British United Press says that reports received in diplomatic circles from Berlin state that Dr von Sesye Inquart’s offer of additional concessions has been accepted by Herr Hitler. A settlement of the crisis seems assured, but the price is tantamount to Austria’s complete surrender. The Berlin correspondent of The Daily Mail includes in Austria’s fresh concessions towards Germany an agreement to “Nazify” the Fatherland Front and to ban Monarchist activities. It is believed that Herr Hitler insists on the dismissal •of Dr Kienbock, governor of the Austrian National Bank, who opposed Austria’s participation in Germany’s Four-Year-Plan. The Australian Associated Press says that an authentic account of the interview between Herr Hitler., and Dr Schuschnigg reveals that Herr Hitler shouted and gesticulated, terrifying Dr Schuschnigg, who every few minutes was confronted by German generals thrusting maps on the table and showing where guns were placed on the Austrian frontier. PATRIOTS’ OPPOSITION The Vienna correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says that patriotic Austrians, realizing what they ■ have lost as a result of the meeting between Herr Hitler and Dr Schuschnigg at Berchtesgaden, are rallying to prevent the extension of a diplomatic defeat to loss- of the campaign. They criticize Dr Schuschnigg for accepting Herr Hitler’s invitation but largely blame Baron Franz von Papen, the German Ambassador to Vienna. Many temporary strikes have marked the protest against the admission of Nazis to the Government, and workers and peasants support this attitude. Dr Schuschnigg’s supporters find no comfort in the British Foreign Secretary’s answer in the House of Commons yesterday. They say: “We are lost if Britain and France are indifferent Germany is swallowing our country. We cannot believe that this is merely in the interests of peace. They will let Germany receive die enormous accession of strength Austria could give her. This would seal the fate of Czechoslovakia, after which comes Hungary. Surely Britain must appreciate the significance of Germany financing the Rumanian Iron Guards, her tying Yugoslavia constantly closer to herself, and her support of the accession to power of General John Metaxas in Greece. Bulgaria has long been tied to Germany. “Herr Hitler’s declaration to Dr Schuschnigg means that he is not only the Leader of Germany but of the entire German race in the Balkarts, which includes hundreds of thousands of racial Germans who since Herr Hitler’s accession to power are the spearhead of the Nazi advance towards the Suez Canal.” Austrian workers, after conferring on the situation, resolved that “the workers of Austria declare their passionate determination to defend the freedom, independence and honour of their country and renew their solemn assurance to Dr Schuschnigg that they are prepared to make every sacrifice in support of his work of reconstruction and guard him against disturbance.” Under the amnesty 510 political prisoners have been released. Each signed a statement promising not to indulge in terrorism. FAMOUS CONDUCTOR’S DECISION NO MONEY FOR SALZBURG FESTIVAL NEW YORK, February 17. Signor Arturo Toscanini, the famous composer and conductor and a known foe of Nazism, announced that because of the recent developments in Austria he was withdrawing from the annual Salzburg music festival and was changing the beneficiary of his New York concert, which was originally planned to aid the Salzburg Festspielhaus. It was revealed that Signor Toscanini received news of the “shake-up” of Dr Schuschnigg’s Government under Nazi pressure with great perturbation and conferred with his friends and associates before the announcement of his decision.