NEW SHOCK FOR EUROPE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 9

NEW SHOCK FOR EUROPE

“A FREE GERMAN AUSTRIA ” PLEBISCITE TO BE HELD NAZIS TAKEN BY SURPRISE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Cotmight VIENNA, March 9 Europe received a new shock when Dr. Schuschnigg, the Austrian Chancellor, announced a national plebiscite on the issue of “a free German Austria.” The world is anxious to know what he means by the words a “German Austria.” The formal announcement came from a declaration signed by the Chancellor and headed: “For a Free German Austria.” The declaration read: “To the people of Austria. For the first time in our history, our Fatherland Leaders of State demand a public profession of faith in your homeland. All of you men and women of free Austria are summoned to confess yourselves before the whole world. You shall say whether you are minded to go the way we are going, which has as its object social concord, equality of rights, final overcoming of party divisions, a German peace at home and abroad, and a policy of work. Our password is for a free and independent Austria, united for peace, work and the equality of all who profess faith in the people and the Fatherland. That is the goal of my policy to reach which is a task and the historic demand of the hour. Whoever affirms that password serves the interests of all, and of peace. Therefore, comrades, show that you want to open a new era of concord in the interests of the Homeland. The world must see that our will is to live. Therefore, Austrian people, stand up as one man and vote. Ja! Heil! Osterreichi!” The instructions for voting state that all voting papers will be printed with the word "ja” on them and will be counted as "yes” papers, even if “no” or other words are written on them. Voters wanting to vote “no” must ask for a special paper. The age limit for voting in the plebiscite is 24 with a view to excluding extremists. Year of Labour Dr Schuschnigg said that this year would be a year of labour, and he promised a Public Works scheme giving employment to 30,000 men. He added ttiat the Austrian people shall now confess before the world whether they are for Germany, or independence of Austria and the Government’s programme of work and peace. Dr Schuschnigg was given an ovation on his arrival at Innsbruck. He drove through crowded streets lined with troops to the Imperial Palace, where he began conferences with the authorities and the Fatherland Front leaders. Later he announced that the plebiscite would be taken on the question: “Do you stand for a free and independent Austria?” WILL STAND OR FALL BY PLEBISCITE WARNING BY AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 10, 5.5 p.m.). VIENNA, March 10. Dr. Schuschnigg, addressing 26,000 people at Innsbruck, said: "We shall not tolerate Nazi threats. There must be a division between legality and illegality. The German peace must literally be honourably kept. “The Berchtesgaden programme,” he said, “will be fulfilled, but not one iota more. I stand or fall by the plebiscite. There must be no more provocations.” For years Germany used pressure on him to hold a plebiscite but he always replied that he would do so at a moment chosen by himself, said Dr. Schuschnigg. Now those who wanted the plebiscite could have it. The Chancellor added that the sole responsibility for the decision to hold a plebiscite was his and he could not believe that any Austrian, man or woman, knowing what was at stake, would vote against the Government. The speech was received with enthusiasm, after which 20,000 marched through the streets singing patriotic songs. SUDDENNESS OF PLEBISCITE NAZIS FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN BETRAYED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright • Received March 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. The Vienna correspondent of “The Daily Mail" says that reports were circulating in Vienna last night that Herr Seyss i Governor of Styria) and Dr. von Inquart (Austrian Minister of the Interior) were about to resign. The Austrian Nazis feel that they have been betrayed by the suddenness of the plebiscite for which they blame Dr. von Inquart. CHANCELLOR WILDLY CHEERED PATRIOTS IN FRENZY OF JOY United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 10, 1.50 a.m.) VIENNA, March 10. Ten thousand people wildly cheered Dr. Schuschnigg when he arrived from Innesbruck and drove to the Chancellory. Austrian patriots are in a frenzy of

joy as a result of Dr. Schuschnigg'.': speech which has left the Nazis flabbergasted. For the first time for four years workmen are openly wearing the Red Carnation emblem of the democratic workers. Messages from Budapest and Prague indicate that Austria’s neighbours are in top-toe with excitement regarding the plebiscite. BERLIN SURPRISED COMPLETE SILENCE BEING OBSERVED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-Copyright (Received March 10, 8.40 p.m.) BERLIN, March 10. Complete silence is being observed in German official circles about tire Austrian plebiscite, which has cleaily surprised Berlin. The newspapers so far have not published one line concerning it. NAZIS ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE ARRESTS FOLLOW CHARGE BY POLICE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 10, 8.10 p.m.) VIENNA, March 10. The Nazis are protesting that the age limit will deprive them of 200,000 votes in Upper Austria alone, and they also complain that the suddenness of the announcement does not give time for an electoral agitation. The agreement signed by representatives of the Government and the workers accords the workers henceforth the same rights as Nazis. They will be allowed to enter the patriotic front and their organisations and confiscated funds will be restored. The Nazis attempted to parade in Vienna late to-night. The police charged them and arrested several hundred. Small groups continued to demonstrate singing "Horstwessel," a song which is forbidden. The Nazis also tried to demonstrate at Innsbruck but members of the Patriotic Youth Party attacked them. ADVISED TO “JUMP THE GUN” HERR HITLER OUTWITTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgh t LONDON, March 10. A British United Press message from Rome says official circles believe that Signor Mussolini advised Dr. Schuschnigg to "jump the gun” by taking the plebiscite before the Nazi’s Anschluss Day on March 27. Signor Mussolini is confident that the plebiscite will overwhelmingly favour Dr. Schuschnigg who thereafter will be in a stronger position to check pro-German activities. Paris newspapers agree that Dr. Schuschnigg outwitted Herr Hitler. They also agree that he was wise to cut out the votes of turbulent youngsters by fixing the age limit at 24 years.