GERMANY’S COUP

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 9

GERMANY’S COUP

i AUSTRIA’S PLIGHT I SIGN OF ITALY’S WEAKNESS GREAT INTEREST TO BRITAIN United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. 16 The Daily Telegraph says that by surrendering to Herr Hitler's demands Austria has virtually sacrificed her independence. The Vienna correspondent of the ; News Chronicle says another conces- 1 sion made by Dr. Schuschnigg is understood to be the removal of the Austrian Chief of Staff. Field-Marshal Jansa, who will be replaced by a general more favourable to Germany. The political correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says there can be few precedents for Herr Hitler's action. Nothing can save Austria now except intervention by the Powers. The Powers chiefly interested in Austria's independence are Czechoslovakia and Italy, but Czechoslovakia can do nothing alone and Rome's silence reveals one thing in a very vivid fashion—namely, Italy's weakness. Yet Austria is far more important to Italy than are Spain and Libya, or even Abyssinia. Friendly Attitude to Britain Signor Mussolini latelv has shown a more friendly attitude to Britain, says the correspondent, possiblv because lie wishes to show Germany" that he is not entirely dependent upon her. However, Herr Hitler has remained unimpressed. For Britain the independence of Austria is not a major matter, but certainly it is of very great interest because, if Herr Hitler’s action is followed up ‘successfully, it will transform the balance of power in Europe. For once, therefore, Britain and Italy have a common interest—namely, the ! maintenance of the status quo in Central Europe. SILENCE IN ITALY IL DUCE’S POLICY MODIFIED ASSURANCE BY HERR HITLER • United Press Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Feb. 17, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16 , The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there is com- ■ plete silence in official circles. It is well-known that Signor Mussolini's policy of the independence of Austria has been entirely modified. He ! knew on Saturday, after the meeting ,j at Berchtesgaden exactly what the! situation was going to be. , j It is thought that Herr Hitler assured Il Duce of the fact that Aus- , tria's independence would be saved l and he would continue to support II , Duce in Spain. THE DESIRE OF BRITAIN . PEACE AND GOOD UNDERSTANDING THE INTEGRITY OF AUSTRIA i ! United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright , (Received Feb. 17, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16 Mr Anthony Eden, in the House of : Commons, said he believed the agreei ment between Austria and Germany contained undertakings regarding a : variety of subjects, but till the text ■ was available he could not make a ; further statement. i Meanwhile he was closely following developments. Britain desired peace and a good understanding in Central Europe, as elsewhere. The British, French and Italian declaration of 1934 re-affirmed interest in the integrity and independence of Austria. THREAT BY PRESIDENT SIGNOR MUSSOLINI’S ADVICE t PROSPECT OF DISORDERS United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright LONDON. Feb. 16. The Vienna correspondent of the British United Press, says it is understood that strong opposition, culminating in a threat by Dr Miklas to dismiss Dr. Schusschnigg. delayed the reconstruction of the Cabinet. Catholic and Peasant leaders and the more democratic portions of the Fatherland Front are supporting Dr. Miklas. Thirty thousand workers petitioned > Dr. Schuschnigg insisting that the I road followed by the late Dr. Dolfuss, former Chancellor, should be un-1 swervingly followed. Dr. Schuschnigg at noon to-day had I made contact with Signor Mussolini by! telephone who had advised him to accept Herr Hitler’s demands as telephonlcally reduced by the Fuehrer, who declared that they were his last words. British and French military backing are out of the question, and the Austrians are confronted by the clear-cut prospect of disorders, with Germany marching—which may have been a bluff—unless Austria yields. FORWARD MOVE HERR HITLER’S ANNOUNCEMENT United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. IC. The Berlin .•..n-esp"iuleiit of the Times -;os Hn r llill.-r will )..• ;,!>le tu j ann>'tiitee' in Hie HelriiMai: on Feliniary j 2u Hi.it ,i fi >rw:i nl 1111 •vo in Austria lias j 1"*.*n aeliievi'd 1»moo I Lilly. Il is not yei clear wlial would have fusa 1 lo moot Ihe German demands, j Tim July agreement, however, rer- j I " (Continued in next column)

| THE CHANCELLOR’S LOYALTY DONE BEST FOR COUNTRY CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 17, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 16. The developments of the Austria situation which followed the meetin at Berchtesgaden are being studie here with close interest. The more authoritative circles fei that it is too soon to express the vie’ that the terms accepted mark the en of Austria's real independence. ■Confidence is displayed in Dr vc Schuschnigg’s disinterestedness ar loyalty, and it is recalled ( that durir the years he has been Chancellor l. has shown exceptional skill in steei ing the country through difficult time The prevailing view is that he ce be relied upon, therefore, to do whi he thinks best in the present difflcu circumstances. Some surprise is shown that Italy appears to have made no move during the developments which appeared to affect Austria’s Independence, the malntalnance of which has always been regarded as of special Interest and concern to Italy. RESULT OF THE AMNESTY 4000 PRISONERS RELEASED 1 SOCIALISTS, COMMUNISTS, NAZI United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgt i (Received Feb. 17, 12.0 p.m.) VIENNA, Feb. 16 It is belived that the amnesty af 1 fects about 4000 people, some of th 1 sentences extending to 1941. A Vienna radio broadcast gave ttL< information that the amnesty wil 1 j cover Socialists and Comunists, in ad 1 dition to Nazis. ’I As a result of the agreement a ! Berchtesgaden half of the 150 Austria! t ! Army officers who previously wen ;! dismissed because of their Nazi activ ; ities will be reinstated. The remainde will receive full pensions. Also 193: civil servants who had been dismisset 1 will receive full pensions, but will no ; be reinstated. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT A NEW ERA BEGUN REKINDLING OF HOPE United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel Copyrigti BERLIN, Feb. 16. Tiie German morning newspaper greet the reconstruction of the Aus triuii Cabinet as heralding tlie begin I ning nr a belter era in the relations be ! tween Germany and Austria, j Tin* Berliner Tageblatt says Her ! Hitler uuaiii lias shown that German stands in the front rank when it is j question of taking practical measure ! for ensuring peace. ! The Deutsche Allgemeine Zcilun says Germans oil both sides of the fron j tier thank Herr Hitler for the hop L that has been rekindled.