REFUGEE IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 7

REFUGEE IN BRITAIN

FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF AUSTRIA PRINCE VON STARHEMBERG LONDON, July 30. It was reported in London last night that Prince Ernst von Starhemberg, formerly Vice-Chancellor of Austria, is in Britain. Prince Starhemberg was with Hitler, the man he now opposes, in the Munich “beer putsch” in 1923. After fighting with the Germans in Upper Silesia, the youthful prince returned to the vast estates he had inherited and began welding together the Iron Guard that was to back his every move in the complicated Austrian political map. The Iron Guard cooperated with regular troops and police in putting down the putsch that brought about the slaying of Dr. Dollfuss. Prince Starhemberg, making holiday in Venice, hastened home, to receive the Chancellorship from Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg, as interim head of the Government. That had been expected. Prince Starhemberg, made ViceChancellor on May 1 as the new Constitution was proclaimed and left in that post when Dr. Dollfuss shook up his Cabinet, was the little Chancellor's lagical successor. Later he gave way to Dr. Schuschnigg. The young Prince typical aristocrat, boyish friendly, even shy—belies his reputation as a man of “action.” "Democracy” he held in slight esteem, usually linking the word to “corruption,’ and he battled steadily to eliminate democratic forms from the Austrian Government, although he himself once sat in Parliament. He was born in Efferding, Upper Austria, studied at the Universities of Munich and Innsbruck, and launched his career of battles immediately after his school days were ended.