"SCHUSCHNIGG IS DOOMED”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 78, 2 April 1938, Page 9

"SCHUSCHNIGG IS DOOMED”

WORLD OWES HIM GREAT DEBT HIS OPPOSITION TO HITLER VIEWS OF MISS K. COURTNEY A STAND FOR ANTHON Y EDEN [ Per i’ress Association.! DUNEDIN, April 1. “I believe the world owes a great deal to Dr. Schuschnigg, former Chancellor of Austria, because he made u clear that the object of dictators is a practice of naked force,” said Miss Kathleen Courtney, a member of the executive of the League ot Nations Union in Great Britain, when addressing a luncheon gathering of members of the Dunedin branch of the union to-day. “1 am afraid Dr. Schuschnigg is a doomed mar.,” Miss Courtney added, “but by his courage in forcing the hand ot Herr Hitler no has undoubtedly made Germany’s aims plain. ’ Analysing the present situation in Europe, Miss Courtney said it was clear that Herr Hitler’s Austrian coup must have been premeditated for some time, although there was no doubt that Dr. Schuschnigg’s courage had caused him to carry it out by force, instead of by securing the appointment of Nazis to the Austrian Cabinet, as had been intended. Foi some years Austrian independence hau relied on the precarious balance between the two dictatorships of Germany and Italy, and witn Italy weakened by her various external ventures —the Abyssinian and Spanish campaigns and the massing of troops in Libya—Hitler had possibly realised that the time had come for him to absorb Austria without opposition from Italy, on the other hanu, however, it w'as possible that there might have been an agreement between the two dictators that if no obstacle were placed m the way of German hegc mony in. ... Europe, Germany

would co a realisation ot Signor Musso.m. o uream of a reviveu Roman Empire with the Mediterranean as an Italian lake.

“In the meantime, with Mr Anthony Eden out of the way, Britain is negotiating with Italy and less pubiicl) with Germany,” Miss Courtney continued, “and the whole trend of affairs is right away from the ideal that is expressed in the League of Nations. The nations are piling up arms, but 1 think that perhaps there is some hope if public opinion of the world, particularly in democratic countries, with really make a stand for aemoracy ana for a peaceful solution of international disputes. 1 cannot place much confidence in Britain's conversations witn Italy, because of Signor Mqssolini’s repeated disregard tor treaties an/, agreements, and it seems that at th. moment the only policy that can bt adopted is one of ’wan and see,' especially alter Signor Mussolini s hin< of a third military campaign in which he will lead the Italian people to victory. We must see what subjects are developed in the Anglo-Italian 1 conversations, and wnat guarantee* we are going to demand in return ioi any concessions, for it teems to nu that Britain has much more to give than to gain.” Miss Courtney, in conclusion, referred to the eilorts that were being made in England to revive the League of Nations and of the protests mat had been aroused by the resignation o. Mr Eden. Prominent persons weic taking part in meetings designed Lg stimulate public interest in the principle of international co-operation for which the League stood.