“UNITED FRONT” IN AUSTRIA

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 7

“UNITED FRONT” IN AUSTRIA

NEW AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY CHANCELLOR DISCUSSES CONVERSATIONS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 25, 5.5 p.m.) VIENNA, February 24. Proceeding between rows of members of the Fatherland Front, students and storm troopers of the Youth Organization the Chancellor (Dr Kurt Scnuschnigg) received the plaudits of 40,000 when he arrived at Parliament House to discuss the conversations with Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden. The cheering lasted five minutes. Inside the Chamber were the entire Diplomatic Corps ineluding the German. Ambassador (Baron Franz von Papen),. Dr Schuschnigg, referring to ( the gravity of the occasion, declared: Our first duty is to preserve the freedom and independence of the Austrian Fatherland. Popular Front and dictatorial constitutions are both excluded in Austria, whose constitution knows no parties. The Government unalterably adheres to the May 1934 stitution, intends to secure peace with all countries and ’ extend it within its frontiers to the best of its ability. This peace agreement, after a five years fight, was the purpose of the Berchtesgaden meeting. The new Government is not a popular front tied to parties, but a single united front of all classes. Austria is a German country and stands or falls with its German mission. The Berchtesgaden agreement _ includes German recognition of Austrias toll sovereignty, that neither Government will influence the other’s political structure and that Austria will conduct her policy in accordance with her declaration that she is a German state. The conclusion of the new agreement ends a period of tension. Austria has always recognized the political ideal or the German State, blit there must, be no interference in Austrian affairs. Referring to Austrias gdod relation with Britain, France and Switzerland, Dr Schuschnigg specifically Italy. He ended by declaring: Austria remains free and for this we fight to the death.” . Dr Schuschnigg, referring, to the Jewish question, declared that au citizens were equal before the Austrian After his speech Dr Schuscnnigg marched through, the streete at he head of a procession of 50,000 Isolated groups of Nazis unsuccessfully tried to impede the procession.