PLEBISCITE RESULT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 7

PLEBISCITE RESULT

AUSTRO-GERMAN UNION

APPROVAL OF VOTERS

OVERWHELMING MAJORITY

BERLIN, April 11. The revised provisional figures in Germany alone on the plebiscite on the question of Austrian union with Germany show; that out of 45,041,996 voted. Their verdict was:— Yes 44,531,450 No 459,899 Invalid ... 69,617 The percentage in fat our of the union is 98.47. In Austria alone, out of 4,298,092, 4.284,795 voted The result was:— Yes 4,267,319 No 11,281 n.alid 5,695 The percentage in favour of the anschluss is 99.08. The London Times, in a leader, says: “The danger of such a success following the occupation of Austria is that it may encourage confidence in the methods used which, however, are inapplicable outside the German family. The greater Germany, whoever likes it or not, is the product of the inevi'-ibie. The task of the future is to find a settled basis of relations, proof against the fundamental disturbance. The question in the phase now opening is: What limit will be set to the employment of force? Germany, with 70,000,000 highlyorganised [eopie, can contribute imn.ensely to the prosperity of Europe, but to abuse that power would plunge the greater part of the world into ruin, outstripping the results of the World War. This consideration alone inspires the British policy ot acting upon experience, anticipating, by steady and continuous negotiations, the differences as they arise and the realignment of implacable antagonisms.”

THE “NO” VOTES

HIGHEST IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS. Received April 12, 6.5 p.m. LONDON, April 11. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that analysis of the votes shows more “Noes” in the great industrial districts than in the residential agricultural regions. Leipzig had the highest proportion of “Noes,” 28,759 to 914,541 "Yesses.”

AUSTRIA WITHDRAWS

1.L.0. MEMBERSHIP. BERLIN, April 11. Austria has ceased her membership of the International Labour Office. UNITED JUBILATION AUSTRIAN NEWSPAPERS. FULFILMENT OF PROMISES HOPED FOR. BERLIN, April 11. ’’Triumph,’’ "miracle,” and "glorious victory” are among the mildest descriptions of the plebiscite in the German Press. The Austrian newspapers unitedly sound a jubiiiant note, the central idea being that the union is sealed.

One Vienna correspondent says it is now hoped that the German authorities will fulfil their promise to revive Austria’s stagnating industry and particularly to restore the tourist traffic. The correspondent- adds that the disposal of the Jews remains the big problem and is likely to cause much suffering before a solution, if any, can be discovered.

DIVINE GUIDANCE

AS LEADER OF REICH HERR HITLER S BELIEF LONDON, April 11. Herr Hitler, speaking on Saturday before the polling in the plebiscite, said: "The bases of my programme are the blood and fire of my personality. I started as a nameless man 19 years ago, but those who vote ’No’ will pass away nameless. I believe it was God’s will to send a boy into the

Reich and let him become the Leader >in order to bring his home country into it; otherwise, one must doubt the existence of Providence. There is a Higher Destiny of which we are all tools. I knew instantly when Dr. Schuschnigg broke his word that it was the call of Providence. What happened in the following three days , was nothing but the execution of the will of this Providence. The Lord defeated them in three days and I was granted the great grace to lead my country back on the very day of treason.

"I have proved I can achieve more than the dwarfs who ruled you,” continued u e Fuhrer. "I stand here because I am a far abler man than Dr. Schuschnigg. May every German to-morrow in humiliation bow before the Almighty Who performed this miracle.”

AN "EASTER REST” Received April 12, 10.15 p.m. VIENNA, April 12. Herr Buerckel has proclaimed an "Easter rest” until April 25, during which time all normal Nazi activity, will be suspended. DRASTIC PURGE AUSTRIAN POLICE RANKS. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, April IL The Daily Telegraph's Vienna correspondent understands that a drastic purge is being carried out in the ranks of the Austrian police. Several hundred have been dismissed and several have committed suicide. The gaps are being filled by proved Nazis. The Daily telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says that Herr Hitler has issued a decree for the reinstatement of Austrian Nazis who have been deprived of their positions in the Public Service because of their Nazi leanings.