99 PER CENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 86, 12 April 1938, Page 7

99 PER CENT

Support For > Anschluss

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

RESULT OF PLEBISCITE !bt Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received April 11, 8.5 p.m. BERLIN, April 11. The official result in the German section of the plebiscite shows that of 41,060,095 eligible to vote 40,882,959 voted. Their verdict was:— Yes 40,413,316 No 404,547 Invalid 65,096 The percentage in favour was 99. A Vienna message states that the Austrian vote was counted separately, showing that 99.75 per cent, were in favour of the anschluss; 4,273,884 voted “Yes” and 10,567 “No.” Dr. Schuschnigg, who is only under detention, could have voted but refrained.

Herr Hitler, boradcasting after the announcement of the Austrian voting, said: “The Austrian results, as those of the rest of the Reich, surpass my expectations. Austria’s declaration is her true feeling and expression of confidence. This is the proudest hour of my life. I thank the whole of the German people, especially my Austrian homeland, from the bottom of my heart.”

POLLING DAY

Voters shiver in queues HITLER ACCLAIMED BERLIN, April 10. Brass bands woke the populace to vote on the question of Austrian union with Germany. Standing In queues, voters shivered in a cold wino and snow showers.

Polling generally was somnolent during the afternoon. Although th® arrangements provided for secrecy in curtained booths at the polling stations, many people disregarded it. However, it was usually possible to vote negative without danger of discovery.

Newspapers acclaim as a plebiscite baby a girl who was born in a polling station.

Herr Hitler and a majority ot members of the Cabinet assembled at the Chancellery this evening to listen to broadcast results of the election. Vast crowds outside demanded to see Herr Hitler, and when he came on to the balcony they surged forward and swept away the police who were striving to restrain them. Herr Hitler smilingly saluted and disappeared, the crowd vociferously appealing to him to return.

VOTERS IN BRITAIN

3*OLL on visiting steamer.

LONDON, April 10.

Two thousand Germans and Austrians living in Britain, including nurses from the German hospital in East London, went to Tilbury in order to vote in the plebiscite aboard the steamship Wilhelm Gustloff, on which 150 men and women are enjoying a cruise from Germany. A chorus of “heils” rang out and the band played Deutschland Über Alles” as the ship came alongside the landing stage, after which there were manv reunions of families and friends.

HIGH TREASON

WARRANT ISSUED AGAINST ARCHDUKE OTTO. Received April 11, 11.15 p.m. LONDON, April 11. A message from the Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that Herr Hueber, Minister of Justice, disclosed that a warrant for high treason had been issued against Archduke Otto. If he appears on German soil he will be tried for his life.

It is believed the reason for this step is the Archduke’s appeal to the Powers, begging them to extend their protection to Austria.

ON CRUISE LINER POLL DURING VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND t Per Pre** Association. ] AUCKLAND, April 11. A poll among the German and Austrian passengers and the German :rew of the Hamburg-America cruise liner Reliance on the union of Austria with Germany was held last Sunday, when the vessel was approaching the New Zealand coast on her voyage from Melbourne to Auckland. Nearly 98 per cent, of the voters favoured the union.

The wording of the voting paper was sent by cablegram from Germany to Sydney when the ship was at the latter port. Voting papers were printed on board the ship and the voters were asked to signify their approval or disapproval of the merger by putting a cross in the appropriate “Yes” or “No” square opposite the question: “Are you In favour of the union of Austria with Germany?” Arrangements for the poll were >sade by Chief-Officer H. Meyer ana tne voting took place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Those declaring in the affirmative totalled 351, while negative votes were recorded by six persons. Three voting papers were spoiled. The voters included about 60 passengers, of whom six were Austrians.