GRAVITY OF CRISIS IN AUSTRIA

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

GRAVITY OF CRISIS IN AUSTRIA

FEARS OF UPHEAVAL IN EUROPE

BRITAIN STRIVING FOR PEACE United press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 26, 7.0 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. The Rome correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: “Some anxiety is felt about Britain’s attitude to the situation, which is described as the most dangerous since July, 1914. It is being asked, first will Britain adhere to the joint protest by Italy and France entailing a threat of sanctions agaifist Germany if she persists in her present Austrian policy; secondly, will she take the line that to-day’s happenings are purely an internal matter; and thirdly, will she assume a benevolent neutrality, while Italy, France and Czecho-Slovakia put the Austrian house in order? The Italians are anxiously looking to Britain to help them to save Europe from strife and bloodshed.” SPREAD OF UNREST ACTIVITIES OF AUSTRIAN NAZIS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 26, 7.0 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. The Munich correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” states that rumours are rife that the Austrian Nazis exiled there are about to invade Austria. It is reported that 3000 Austrian Nazis, under arms, have received orders to stand by. All barracks are guarded by Austrians carrying rifles and wearing steel helmets. Inhabitants on the route leading to the frontier report that there has been heavy traffic at dawn for several days. Whole caravans and army lorries, filled with Austrian Brown Shirts in full fighting kit, have been moving towards Austria since Saturday. GERMAN MINISTER RECALLED OFFICIAL EXPLANATION OFFERED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 26, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, July 26. The German Minister at Vienna (Herr Reith) has been recalled. The official reason for the recall of Herr Reith Is that he consented at the request of the Austrian Government and rebels to an agreement, which was drawn up between them, regarding the free conduct of rebels to Germany, without consulting his Government. All rebels will be arrested if they cross the frontier. AUSTRIA’S NEW LEADER STRONG MONARCHIST CHOSEN

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received July 26. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. “The Daily Mail” states that Dr. Kurt Schuschnigg is a strong Monarchist and a prominent member of the Dollfuss Christian Social Party. He was Minister of Justice in the Bureseh Cabinet in 1932. and also a member of the Dollfuss Cabinet which succeeded it. POPE EXPRESSES HORROR INSPIRED MURDER DENOUNCED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 26, 5.5 p.m.) VATICAN CITY, July 26. The Pope was informed of the murder of Dr. Dollfuss, and expressed horror. He denounced the persons who inspired the murder, directly or indirectly, as enemies of civilisation. The Pope has sent a message of sympathy to Frau Dollfuss, who is at Riccione. His Holiness has great affection for Dr. Dollfuss, and warmly supported his efforts to make Austria a Christian corporative State. REACTIONS IN EUROPE. ALARM AND EXCITEMENT. United Preps Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 29, 7.35 p.m.) ROME, July 26. There is tremendous excitement here over the events in Austria. The newspapers, reflecting Mussolini’s views, declared that the Austrian Nazi Putsch aggravates Germany’s responsibility and will compel the other Powers to take precautions against complications. Signor Mussolini and Dr. Dollfuss were to meet in Riccione on Friday. Signor Mussolini was pledged to support Dr. Dollfuss, as Italy could not allow Austria to go Nazi and be virtually under German control without imperilling her interests. Gravity of Situation Recognised. A message from Paris says that the French Government regards the Austrian situation as most grave, and demanding the greatest vigilance, since a free and peaceful Austria is essential to Europe’s welfare. Italy’s attitude is considered to be most important. It is reported that although Italy would not tolerate Germany’s annexation of Austria, military action in connection with this course is considered to he unlikely, except by agreement of England and France. German Viewpoint. It is officially declared that the Austrian outbreak is purely spontaneous, and is not connected with the German Nazis. The Austro-German frontier is reported to be closed. ITALO-GERMAN PLANS. AGREED THAT DOLLFUSS SHOULD RESIGN. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, July -25. In well-informed circles it is stated that Dr. Dollfuss’s resignation and Dr. Rintelen’s appointment as Chan-

cellor was agreed upon between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini at their meeting in Venice in June.

GERMANY'S INNOCENCE CLAIMED.

VIEWS OF BERLIN PRESS. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph -Copyright (Received July 27, 12.16 a.m.) BERLIN, July 26. The newspapers protest Germany's innocence and insist that the events in Austria are purely domestic. It is announced that Herr Hitler is returning from Bayreuth immediately. Freiherr von Neurath (Minister of Foreign Affairs) telegraphed the sympathy of the German Government with the Austrian Government in the death of Dr. Dollfuss. ITALIAN FORCES MOVING. PLANS TO GUARD FRONTIER. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 27, 12.16 a.m.) ROME, July 26. Two Italian army corps are moving towards the Austro-Italian frontier and are fully equipped on a war basis. A third corps from Trieste has been ordered to prepare to advance to the frontier, on which 50,000 troops are now converging. INSURRECTION FADING OUT. MINISTER ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 27. 12.16 a.m.) VIENNA, July 26. Dr. Rintelen attempted to commit suicide, and is seriously wounded in the breast. It is generally believed that he was given a revolver to take his life. He left a note saying: “I am innocent." Dr. Dollfuss’s body is lying in a coffin in a building in Bathaus Square. Reports state that the provinces are quiet, and that order has been restored, except in Styria, where the insurrection is steadily collapsing. ITALY’S PROMPT MOVE DETERMINED TO DEFEND AUSTRIA’S INDEPENDENCE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyrlgnt (Received July 27, 12.50 a.m.) VIENNA, July 26. Dr. Rintelen is dead. At least a dozen Nazis were killed and many injured in fighting between Government troops and Nazis at Styria. The fighting was especially heavy at Jutenburg. Signor Mussolini sent a strongly Worded telegram to Prince Starhamberg, emphasising Italy’s determination to defend Austrian independence “still more energetically in these difficult times.”

Alpine storms last night forced Prince Starhemberg’s aeroplane to return to Venice, from where he arrived by train at 9.30 a.m. He immediately took over active command of the Heimwehr.