THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 15, 1938.
Page
CHAMBERLAIN'S STATEMENT ON NAZI COUP IN AUSTRIA Warning Of Action In Rearmament Field
Time Appropriate For Review Of Situation
London, To-day.
in very close touch with the French)
HARD FACTS Government throughout, said it Mr. Chamberlain emphasised that seem to the British Government the British Government had always that the methods adopted through-made it clear that it would strongly out called for the severest condem-disapprove the application of violent nation, and had administered a methods to a solution of this pro- shock to all who were entrusted blem. with the preservation of European peace.
The hard fact was that nothing could have arrested this action by Germany unless we, and others, It followed that what had passed had been prepared to use force to
PREJUDICED PEACE HOPES
could not fail to have prejudiced of removing misunderstandings be tween nations and promoting
the hope of the British Government
prevent them.
I imagine that according to the
temperament of the individual, in-events in our mind to-day will be
ternational co-operation."
to cause regret and sorrow and per- After Mr. Chamberlain had rehaps indignation:" (Cheers). futed the rumours sedulously put EXTENTION OF EFFORT
quarters that the "They cannot be regarded by the Government had given consent, if Government with indifference and
Czecho-Slovakia,“
equanimity. They are bound to have effects which cannot be measured.
"The immediate results must be to intensify the sense of uncertainty He said he was informed. that and insecurity in Europe.
"We must consider the new situa- Field-Marshal Goering on March 11 gave a general assurance to the tion clearly, but with cool judgment Czech Minister in Berlin that and confidence that we shall be sup
The House of Commons was crowded yesterday to
hear the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamber lain, deliver his statement on Austria. Many Members had to occupy seats in the side gal- leries, while Foreign Ambassadors were among those present in the Strangers' Gallery. Mr. Chamberlain said that the results of the meet-about in many
ing at Berchtesgaden between the Austrian not encouragement, to the idea of and German Chancellors was stated by the lat-absorption of Austria by Germany, ter to be an extension of the framework of the he referred to the attitude of July, 1936, Agreement which provided, inter alia, for recognition of the independence of Austria by Germany, and recognition by Aus- tria of the fact that she was a German state. it would be the earnest endeavour ported in asking that no-one, what- of the German Government to im lever his particular conceived notions excluded Whatever, therefore, the re- the German threatened invasion he prove German-Czech relations, while be, shall regard himself sults of the Berchtesgaden meet-, had yielded to force to avoid shed- the same day the Czech Minister from any extension of the national ing, it was clear that the agree-ding German blood, and Austrian was assured by Baron von Neurath efforts that may be called for."
FURTHER STEPS ment reached was still on the troops had been instructed to offer that Germany considered herself
Concluding, Mr. Chamberlain re- basis of the independence of no resistance if and when German bound by the Czecho-Slovak Arbi- Austria.
troops crossed the frontier.
tration Convention of October, 1925, ferred to the defence programme, Detailing recent events, Mr. Mr. Chamberlain proceeded to PLEDGE OF CONSULTATION declaring: "We have always made Chamberlain said that matters recall the British note of protest The Prime Minister maintained it clear that it is flexible, and would came to a head on March 11, delivered on March II, adding that that Britain had fully discharged have to be reviewed from time to when Dr. Zeiss-Inquart and his earlier the same day he had made the pledge of consultation both with time in the light of any develop- colleagues presented an ultima earnest representations in the the French and Italian Governments ment in the international situation. "It would be idle to deny that tum to Dr. Schuschnigg demand-same sense to the German Minis- to whom they had made an imme ing abandonment of the plebis-ter of Foreign Affairs, with whom diate approach when Austrian in recent events do not constitute cite, and threatened that if this Lord Halifax (the Foreign Minis dependence seemed to be threaten-change of that kind we had was refused, the Nazis would ab-ter) had two further conversationsed by the recent events. stain from voting, and could not that day.
imind
As a result the French Govern- "Accordingly, we have decided to dne be restrained from causing seri- The German Government, in re-ment had addressed a similar pro make a fresh review and in ous disturbances during the poll ply, stated that the British Govern-test to Germany, but from the Ita course shall announce what further
COMPROMISE OFFER
ment was not within its rights in lian Government they had received steps we think it necessary to take."
Renter. They required an answer before claiming the role of protector of the no full exposition of their views. 1 o'clock that afternoon. The Aus-independence of Austria. trian Chancellor rejected the VON NEURATH LETTER ultimatum but offered a comprom-
should be held later.
ise by which a second plebiscite chief of the German Cabinet Coun A letter from Baron von Neurath, Feeling himself under the threatcil, to the British Ambassador in of civil war and possible military Berlin, stated that the German Gov- ernment had never left the British invasion, Dr. Schuschnigg agreed Government in doubt that the form to cancel the plebiscite on condi- tion that the tranquillity of the country was not disturbed by the Nazis.
There seemed little doubt that the offer referred to Germany.
FRESH ULTIMATUM
of relations between the Reich and Austria could only be regarded as an internal affair of the Germa
people which was no concern of third.
powers.
GERMANY
In particular, the allegation that When travelling in Germany and on German ships
an ultimatum had been presented,
In any event, the reply the Min-making demands of the Federal
isters returned was regarded as Chancellor failing which the entry reduce your expenses considerably by carrying
insufficient and it was demanded of German troops would have been that Dr. Schuschnigg must resign contemplated, was described by in order to be replaced by Dr. Baron von Neurath as pure imag- Zeiss-Inquart.
ination.
It appeared that Dr. Schuschnigg The letter went on to say that was given till 4.30 p.m. in which to the despatch of forces from Ger- reply, and was informed that if the many was first raised by the Aus reply was unsatisfactory, German trian request, and added: "Faced troops would be ordered to move at with a directly threatening danger. 5 o'clock.
of bloody civil war in Austria, the Facts seemed to show that Ger-Reich Government decided to meet many, was behind the ultimatum the appeal” - (Cheers)
SELF-DETERMINATION Later in the day a fresh ultima- The letter concluded with the tum, which appeared to be brought contention that dangerous conse- from Germany by plane, demanded quences could only come into play the resignation of the Chancellor and if an attempt was made by a third his replacement by Dr. Zeiss-in-party in contradiction to the peace quart, a new Cabinet of which two-ful intentions and legitimate aims thirds would be National-Socialists, of the Reich to influence develop- readmittance of the Austrian Legion ments of the situation in Austria, and total readmission of the Nazi an influence inconsistent with the Party
right of the German people to self- determination.
RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT The Austrian Chancellor later an- Mr. Chamberlain, after stating nounced by wireless that in view of that the Government had remained
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