VICTIM OF NAZI PLOT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19862, 27 July 1934, Page 9

VICTIM OF NAZI PLOT

MURDER OF AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR

GRIM STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL United Prt. Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright VIENNA. July 25. Dr E. Dollfuss, Chancellor of Austria, is reported to have been shot by Nazis when they captured the Chancellery in an attempt to seize control of the country. Dr Anton Rintelen, former Minister of Education, and of late, Austrian Minister at Rome, and also Dr Kurt Schuschnigg, Minister of Justice, are both reported to be forming Cabinet. NAZIS’ ARMED ACTIVITIES. RESIGNATION OF CABINET FOLLOWS. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Cop vrlght VIENNA, July 25. It is reported that the Government has resigned and that Dr Anton Rintelen, Austrian Minister at Rome, is forming a Cabinet. Later it was officially denied that the Government had resigned. A Heimwehr official said that a number of Nazis shot their way into a wireless station, pinioned the announcer, and then broadcast the story of the Government resignation.

The city is under martial law. A detachment of the regular army is reported to have opened fire on the wireless station. One man was killed. The Heimwehr forces are reported to have occupied the Chancellor’s offices. All communications from official sources have been suspended since 1.15 p.m. It is established that the Nazis attempted a putsch and captured the Chancellery, where Government troops have now surrounded them. Thousands of peasants from Lower Austria, carrying rifles and revolvers, are gathering on the outskirts of the city, ready to defend the Government if necessary. Intense machine-gun fire failing to oust the Nazis from the broadcasting I station, gas was used. A continuous stream of ambulances indicates that the casualties ate considefable. The Nazis shot dead Herr Hickl, Chief of Police. CHANCELLOR’S TRAGIC PASSING. STERN RETALIATION LIKELY. United Press Association —By Electric Tel egraph —Copyrigb t (Received July 26, 5.5 p.m.) VIENNA, July 26. Dr Dollfuss without medical aid died from loss of blood four hours after the shooting, after being unconscious for hours. Dr A. Rintelen. who is known as a friend of the Nazis, has been arrested and detained by the War Ministry. Th 6 police announce that the Nazis who raided the Chancellery have been imprisoned and safe conduct to Germany has been withdrawn because they killed Dr Dollfuss, the offer of freedom being cohditional on the Ministers’ safety. The leader of the rebels was exSergeanfc Holzweber, for two years the Austrian Nazi leader. Story of the Outrage. When the broadcasting station resumed functioning yesterday Major Fey came to the microphone and described how the Cabinet at 11.30 a.m. learned of the Nazi plot. “The Cabinet meetTng dispersed to take active measures,” said Major Fey, “when suddenly what apparently was a detachment of police and army troops numbering 144 entered, bearing rifles and revolvers. They broke into the main room from where Dr. Dollfuss had departed. They ar- | rested Herr Karwinsky and myself and hustled us at the muzzle of revolvers to different rooms. At 2.30 p.m. I was | taken to see Dr Dollfuss, who was wounded unto death and lying on a sofa. He feebly besought me to take care of his wife and children, and asked me to inform the members of the Cabinet of his death and to try and avoid bloodshed I was then escorted back, after calling a priest to administer the last Sacraments. Herr Karwinsky and myself spent agonising hours while the Nazis, armed with rifles threatened several times to kill us. Subsequently Herr Neustadt Sturdier arrived at the Chancellory and secured permission to speak to me. I went to the balcony and arranged to give the mutineers free exit to Germany if they released us. This was done. The rebels were placed in police vans and ordered to be liberated at Passau on the German frontier.” Terrible Day for Austria. Dr Kurt Schuschnigg, who is aged 39, followed Major Fey. He said: “This has been a terrible day. It began with a lie, the broadcast announcer with a revolver at his head being compelled to state that the Government had resigned and that Dl- Rintelen had been appointed. The coup d’etat was planned long ago and the rebels succeeded owing to their disguises. When the remainder of the members of the Cabinet learned the news, the Permanent Council met and President Millas appointed me head of the Government.” Dr Schnuschnigg extolled Dr Dollfuss. He declared that the coup d’etat had failed and that the Government would enforce the law with the utmost severity. Martial law and the curfew have already been imposed. Five minutes silence in memory of Dr Dollfuss followed the broadcasts. CHANCELLOR’S LAST MOMENTS. COURAGE IN FACE OF DEATH. United Press Association Bv Electric Telegraoh Copyright (Received July 26, 5.5 p.m.) VIENNA, Jlily 25. Major Fey,'broadcasting from Vienna described Dr Dollfuss’s last moments. Major Fey aid he was led into a room where Dr Dollfuss lay on the floor wounded. Dr. Dollfuss said: “Take care of my fafnily please.” He paused and then said: “I believe that bloodshed in Austria ca- be avoided.” Detained by Nazis. The Vienna correspondent of the •Sun-Herald” Service says that Dr Dc'lfuss, Major Emil Fey, Minister without Portfolio, and Secretary of State for Security (M. Karwinsky) are

reported to be forcibly detained by Nazis who forced their way into the Chancellor’s offices.

Major Fey appeared at a window of the Chancellery at 4.30 p.m. and informed the Chief of Police that Dr Dollfuss, who was seriously wounded, had resigned, desiring to avoid further bloodshed.

Later Dr Kurt Schuschnigg, the new head of the Austrian Government, reported that Dr Dollfuss was dead.

PRINCE STARHEMBERG ACTS

LARGE FORCES MOBILISED. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright VENICE, July 25. Prince Starhemberg, leader of the Heimwehr, has left for Vienna. Prince Starhemberg, who was forced to return here owing to a storm, held a council of war with officers at his hotel. He ordered the mobilisation of 300.000 Schutzheimbund and is directing their operations from Venice. It Is stated here , that 40 Nazis have been executed in Vienna. STAGGERING SHOCK TO WIFE. POPULAR SYMPATHY AROUSED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 26. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. July 26. Tributes to Dr Dollfuss were broadcast by the 8.8. C. According to information from Vienna, the rebels consisted of dismissed or superannuated Austrian soldiers. The wife of M. Karwinsky, who is staying with Frau Dollfuss at Riccione, informed her of her husband’s death. Frau Dollfuss and her children, who are the guests of Signor Mussolini’s wife, sat in a villa with darkened windows awaiting news throughout the night. Frau Dollfuss is going to Vienna at dawn in an aeroplane, which has been placed at her disposal by the Italian Government. HOW DR. DOLLFUS DIED SUCCESS OF NAZI PLOTTERS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 26, 7.35 p.m.) VIENNA, July 26. Herr Adam, chief of the Austrian Propaganda Service, broadcast early this morning an account of how Dr Dollfuss died. Dr Dollfuss was retiring on the advice of -his personal servants to the President’s room, when the ringleaders of the conspiracy broke through the door and found him defenceless. One sprang forward and shot him twice, once through the neck and once under the shoulder. Dr Dollfuss raised his hand to protect himself. Twice he called for help and then he fell. v Excesses of Nazis. Mr G. E. R. Gadge, the special Vienna correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph,” cabled from Bratislava as follows: “I left Vienna at 8 a.m. The Heimwehr were then being told officially that Dr Dollfuss was shot because he drew a revolver when he was arrested. A woman living opposite the Ravag broadcasting station, saw all. She told me that when a policeman at the door was challenged by a group of eight boys, they shot him dead, and they also shot Herr Holt, the director, just inside. I was able to establish it as correct. Only eight Nazi boys carried out this daring coup. Detachments of the police and Heimwehr arrived until there were 1000 with machine guns. The defenders returned fire with only an occasional revolver shot.”

The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that three Nazis, who were allegedly responsible for the death of Dr Dollfuss, have been segregated from their companions. Dr Dollfuss’s body lies in his study at the Chancellery, shrouded in white, with arms crossed on the breast and a crucifix between them. It is guarded by four soldiers of the Federal Army, with heads bowed and arms reversed.