Wel
Sarly
the
Jiner
MUSSOLINI'S MEETING WITH SCHUSCHNIGG
Sensational Disclosures
Rome, April 24. Signor Gayda makes the sen- rational disclosure in "Giornale d'Italia." that Signor Mussolini lent all his powerful backing, dur- ing the talks with Dr. Schuschnigs. the German viewpoint in order, Berlin-Rome by strengthen the axis.
Nazis in Austria, he asserts, will now be asked to share responsi- bilty with the fatherland front, which virtually means the frst step towards participation in the Government of Austria. Mussolini thus aims at iinking up the Rome Protocols with the Berlin-Rome axis.
STRONG STAND In doing so, Signor Gayda claims. Duce took a strong stand against any leaning on the part of Austria towards Czecho-Slovakia.
results of the Rome Protocols, which have operated in complete agreement with Hungary,
ORDERED CONDITIONS "They reaffirmed that, friendly relations between Austria and Italy would serve to create completely ordered conditions in the Danube Basin.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1937.
TALO-GERMAN
RELATIONS
Believed Closer Now Than Before
WITHDRAWAL OF ALL
VOLUNTEERS
Germany And Italy To Take First Step In Spanish War?
London, Apr. 24 With the capital of Europe having had time to digest the
Rome, Apr. 24. Venice conversations between Sig-
When the Austrian Chancellor, nor Mussolini and the Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigs, opin- Dr. Kurt Schuschnigg, leaves to- lon seems to have crystallised morrow, General Hermann Goer- into a bellet that Italo-Germaning, the Prussian Premier, who is waiting on the doorstep and en- relations are now closer than ever before.
joying the sea breezes of Naples, will walk into Rome
"The Times," declaring that ce- close relations with
“His talks with the Ducé are like-
4 "This new Danubian order is un- thinkable and, unattainable with-menting of out the active co-operation of Germany is 31 Duce's main alm, re-ly to have an extremely far-reach-
Germany.
"Furthermore, the ties formed last year between Austria
and Italy, on the one hand, and Ger- many, on the other, as well as the recent Italo-Yugo-Slav pact, will work out in the interests of these countries and will 'assure a state of amairs in middle Europe that will operate in the direction of a general European appeasement:
"The economic reconstruction of Austria was also discussed.”.......
Transocean News Service.
TENSION RELIEVED
Certain reservations have been made in regard to the linking up of the Rome Protocol with the Berlin-Rome axis, mainly regard- ing Nazi propaganda "in Austria and respect for religion in Austria.
Vienna, Apr. 24. "There is no rivalry between The tension caused by Bignor Germany and Italy over Austria,"
Qayda's report is relieved by a the writer says, "Italy never bar-statement, by Dr. Schuschnigg to ing desired to dominate the latter the effect. that yesterday's com- but merely insisting on her com-
munique reflected truly and fully plete independence."
his discussions with Signor Musso- lini. The maintenance of Austrian
COMPLETE AGREEMENT
The official communique issued in Rome after the talks between Signor Mussolini and the Austrian Chancellor. Dr. Schuschnigg, says, in part:
"Both statesmen confirmed that a complete oneness of opinion exists between Italy and Austria. and defined the principles on which ties of friendship were based.
"With regard to more specifc issues, they noted the favourable
NAZIS TO BE ADMITTED
Austrian Surprise
Venice, April 23. Unofficial Austrian circles bere were surprised. sceptical ала puzzled wher they learned that Signor Gayda, the Duce's mouth- plece, had telephoned to his news- paper in Rome stating that as a sequel to the Mussolini-Schusch- nigg meeting, Nazis would soon be
gards it as significant that the official communique tasued after the parleys contained no reference to maintenance of Austrian inde- pendence and also failed to men- tion the monarchist restoration problem.
This leads the journal to believe that Italy would not actively op- pose Incorporation of Austria in the Reich.
The "Daily Telegraph" points out that Italy is apparently no longer anxious to make a formal statement declaring her intention of maintaining Austrian indepen- dence, while the "Morning Post" - considers
Ing. influence on the situation in Spain.
"It is recalled that the converse tions between General Goering and Signor Mussolini in January were followed by Insurgent successes. notably the capture of Malaga.
"|
which is to be presented to the non-intervention committee in London.
A second
mission of General Goering's will be to persuade the Duce to go to Bedchtesgaden. to visit Herr Hitler and give the world a demonstration of Italo-German friendship.
LIKELY TO AGREE Mussolini will most likely fall in with the suggestion, particularly as Italian circles view with Jes- lousy the old-standing friendliness of many Germans with Britain
The Duce would doubtless fly his own plane to Munich and would
possibly invite the Fuehrer to take a trip with him.
The visit, however, is not likely
list.....
GRAND PARADE
It is now reported, however, though no oficial confirmation is available, that the present contact between the two statesmen is in the nature of a volte face and will to materialise for some time, ow- deal with withdrawal of foreigning to the Duce's full engagement volunteers from Spain, provided that guarantees are forthcoming that other powers will follow suit. TIME NOW RIPE Italian emissaries who have re- that the agreement which will lead to Nazi participa-cently returned from Spain, talk of tion in the Austrian Government triction between various elements in the insurgent High Command. is the most significant feature of the parleys.
and Italian and German Staff of- Acers are credited with the beller that the time is now ripe for the volunteers and suggest mediation Fascist Power to withdraw their
FRENCH OPINION
"Le Petit Parisfen" declares that
independence as the basis of poll-French opinion, which has it that A similar viewpoint is held by
❘tical and economic collaboration the Berlin-Rome axis is now fur-
with other countries is not in ther strengthened. question. A représentative of the so-called National circles, in Aus- tila will be appointed to the Fatherland Front but will not re- present the illegal Nazis; he will come from the National camp and enjoy Dr. Schschnigg's confidence, and his participation in the Gov-
"I Journal" says that the, de- ernment is out of the question-cisions reached at the conference Reuter.
must be regarded as the inevitable consequence of the Stresa Front:
CLEAN UP OF WAZIRISTAN
it would be wrong to assume that the reference to the necessity of Germany's co-operation in organi- sation of the Danube Basin is merely Я diplomatic courtesy phrase.
Italy, the paper says, intends" to stabilise the situation in Central Europe in full accord and close co- operation with Germany, and Aus- tria will therefore be compelled to conclude only such
Tanks And Planes which
In Action
Simla, April 24.
A steam-roller action to roll up Waziri resistance to British · au- thority on the north-west frontier began in earnest ytsterday with establishment of bridgehead south of the Tochi river.
A sharp admitted to the Austrian Govern revolting followers of the fanatical engagement with the
ment.
Signor Gayda also told his paper, the "Giornale D'Italia," that Italy is still prepared to guarantee Aus-
trian Independence as in 1934,
when she rushed army divisions to the border after the murder of
Chancellor. Dollfuss.
The
report
agreements
have been sanctioned by Germany as well as by Italy.
AUSTRIAN "SURRENDER" "Le Petit Journal" declares that Dr. Schuschnigg was compelled to "surrender to the will of Rome and Berlin" if he did not wish to incur the risk of displeasing Italy
as well as Germany.
Le Jour" belleves that the in- clusion of Nazis in the 'Austrian step towards an "anschluss with Government represents the first
Fakir of Ipri preceded the taking | Germany. up of the post.
The casualties, according to first despatches from the frontier which are subject to confirmation, were two Indian troops killed and sight
wonnded.
The tribesmen's losses cannot be ascertained" at present but are be- lleved to be considerable.
Germany... has strengthened the feeling that, the Rome-Berlin axis is the dominant influence in Italy's foreign policy..
+
HEAVY BOMBARDMENT AUSTRIAN ATTITUDE
Enemy concentrations to the While the official communique south of the newly-formed camp stresses the identity of Italo-Aus- at Tochi were heavily bombed by trian views, it is worthy of note Royal Air Force planes, while light that there have, recently been di-whippet tanks successfully Bup- vergencles between Italy and Aus-ported the infantry in several tria, and many Austrians fear they operations with outlying spurs as are being "handed over to the objective. Nazis."
41
The Italians, on the other hand,
It is worthy of note that the tri- besmen yesterday did not follow up
The Journal considers it extreme- ly significant that the official com- munique failed to contain the lightest reference to Austrian in- dependence.-
to end the war.
Consequently it is believed that
and Signor Mussolini
General Goering will elaborate a plan
"
Among other engagements, he has to meet the Yugo-Slav. Pre- mier, Dr. M. Stojadinovich, the German Foreign Minister, Baron Constantin von Neurath and an imposing German military delega- tion headed by the Reich Defence Minister, Marshal von Blomberg.
The latter will witness an "Im-
and Abyssinian native levies, re- perial parade" in which Libyan
plete with elephants and camels, will impress the German visitors what it is to have an Empire- Reuter.
"BLACK MAGIC" | REBEL MARCH
CASE ENDS
Woman Fined £50
Serowe (Bechuanaland),
April 24,
The extraordinary "Black Magic" case, in which the former wife of the famous chief, Tahekedi, W35 charged with practising a witch cult, came to an end to-day.
The woman, Bagak Gametal, was fined the sum of £50 or a year's imprisonment.
Extraordinary evidence of the potency of 20th century witch- braft was given at the trial, which caused a sensation even in Africa.
ON BILBAO
Rapid Advance Claimed
Gibraltar, Apriï 25. - The insurgent ariny, after days of hard fighting, is now entering the plains surrounding Bilbao ac- cording to the Seville radio.
It is claimed that the Insurgents advanced rapid'y on a fifteen-mile wide front' and occupied Florrio, about twelve miles southeast of abandoned. Bubao, which was Aeroplanes report that the in- habitants of Elorrio, Durango and surrounding villages are fleeing to
The woman, who was divorced three witch doctors with practis-libao. from Tshekedi, was charged with
Aircraft bombarded merchant'
shipping at Bilbao harbour, caus- ing some damage➡ Reuter--
SPEE
KOWLOON
CANTON
RAILWAY
NOMICA
Canton-Kowloon Express Services
Commencing on Saturday, April 24th and thereafter on Saturdays and Sundays until further notice, additional Expresses will run between Kowloon and Canton as under :---
Kowloon dep. 7.37 ' a.m. Canton arr. 10.89 a m.
Canton dep. 3.35 pm. Kowloon arr. 7.00. p.m.
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL,
HONGKONG HOTEL, BEFULSE BAY HOTEL;
SHANGHAI
ASTOR, HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL,
HOTELS
LIMITED.
In association with the Grand Hotel das Wagons Lite Feking
LONDON BUS STRIKE SPREADS RAPIDLY
Serious Problem · For Authorities
that the Ministry hopes to bring the parties together.
ing a witch cult in an effort to It is further claimed that the
London, April 24. "L'Oeuvre" expresses the opinion injure the Queen Mother, Semane. front from Elguera in the direction that the conference was a serious
London bus drivers and conduc- QUEEN SHOULD DIE
of Campanar was broken and a set-back for the policy hitherto
Meanwhile already thousands of Evidence showed that prior to number of strategic positions taken tots will cease work at midnight pursued by the Austrian Chan- the divorce, several swallows together with five hundred prion April 30, making the stoppage busmen are unofcially striking in cellor, since he failed to obtain strangely entered Bagak Gametal's soners and a large quantity of complete on May Day unless the ten counties and the public
present deadlock is broken, ethni Signor Mussolini's support against hut and she regarded the visita arms, equipment and stores.
transport problem is rapidly-as- This decision was reached to-suming national proportions. The tion as an ominous attempt by the Queen Mother to alienate, Tsheke
day by the London Bus Delegate unofficial strike which began in Conference which passed a resoin Kent has spread to Essex, Sussex, di's affections. She called in the
tion that having heard the full re Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire. witch doctors who blow a horn and | after a ritual with bones and un-
port of the negotiations to date, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Nor- It was fully satisfied that the Lon-thamptonshire, guents declared that the Queen Mother should die. to.
don Transport Board had not and Norfolk, given satisfaction to the minimum London basmen "demand shorter demands of the busmen. The de- working hours and complain cision was announced by Mr. against speeding up of the run- Ernest Bevin, general secretary of ning schedules and the dimculties the Transport Workers Union. which they have to contend be
Immediately afterwards the cause of trafic congestion, while Ministry of Labour got in touch the county busmen are demanding with the Board and the Transport small increases in par Union which is taken to indicate Reuter
Trusocean News Service.
INSURGENTS CHECKED
when the British pickets were Bilbao Flooded With withdrawn, as is usual when they are belligerently disposed.
have felt that France and Czecno Slovakia are trying to drag Austria into the bloc, hostile to Germany.
Austrian circles declare that Austria will not enter either the pro-or anti-German bloc but stands for unfettered independence, Reuter. and neutrality in similarity to Bel- glum.- Reuter.
SHADES OF THE GREAT, WAR
The giant red-bearded Fakir of Ipi, root of the trouble, is still at his headquarters at Arsalkot
DR. KUNG MEETS SIR MILES LAMPSON
Shanghai, April 24. The Minister of Finance, Dr. H B. Kung, who is representing China at the Coronation of King George, continues to find himself the guest of high officials in the various countries which he is tou- ching en route to Britain.
Hendaye, April 24, The insurgent land offensive Against Bilbao was resumed fiercely all sectors, according to insur- tent sources. The Basque second ane defences are described by those Who served in the great war as Motoring to Cairo from Sues esembling a formidable Finden- to-day, Dr. Kung and party had burg line, Concrete, pul
boxes tes as the guests of the British trown the summit of every hill Ambassador, Bir Miles Lampson, with deep dug outs below, machine formerly Minister to China.
uns are posted in every wood while the whole series of fortited and the Pyramids, and then re- points, are connected with barbed joined liner Victoria at Port
wire stretching across the valleys.
Heuter.
PALESTINE IRAK
"MOTOR ROAD
The Imperial
dded to make
e Trans-Jordan
Me construction)
tough Trans ting Palestin
They
Baid Beuter
sited the Cairo museum
Refugees:
Bibao, April 24. The resumed insurgent offensive is officially claimed to have been checked with considerable Insur- gent lossesİ. Critical fighting is now proceeding only in the Elorrio sector where it is claimed that al attacks were repulsed despite heavy, air bombardments, a hun- dred planes participating in the attack, mainly junkers planes with German pilots.
There have been ten air raids in the last two days in Bilbao whose population has swolen to 200,000 by the huge influx of refugees from other Basque towns and villages. — (teuter
Lightning Strike In
Ford Plants A
mondy (Virginia), Apr. 24.
FOODSHIP LEAVES FOR BILBAO
London, April 24
In order to restore the chief's love the doctors cut Bagak Gamet- sl's throat, back and shoulders and a medicine was put secretly Into Tahekedi's tea. Bagak Gametal also provided a medicine which
A large crowd throughout the was guaranteed to in the Queen country, including members of the Mother
Tahekedi, who was an Interested House of Commons waved farwell to the s.5. Backworth, of 2,480. spectator "at the open air trial, was the centre of a sensational tons, as she sailed from Grimsby incident some years ago when he for Bilbao, carrying food and Broke," the famous, British Admire. was suspended by Evans of the medical supplies contributed by MORE BRITISH SHIPS
the
National Committee for FOR BILBAO at, for fogging a white man.
Spanish Relief Reuter
Reuter.
BELGIUM FREED OF LOCARNO
OBLIGATIONS
Brussels, April 24. The first declares that Belgium The document Treeing Belgium is released from her Locarno ob from her obligations under the Higations, while the second con- Locarno Treaty was signed at thetains the Belgian Government's Foreign Office this afternoon acknowledgment of the declara Heater
tions
HISTORIC DOCUMENT. An official communique confirm Signatures were appended to the ing the exchange of historic docume
Foreign Minister,
British
Ovey) and the
Belgit
lightning strike involving 1,800 upheld, Her
Ford Con
NE
this mo
in the policy of stric
17'8-plant-here follow»: dom from enti discrimination
by the Belgian | documents declaring Bel "Spaak: the lease from Locarno, was (Bir) Famond the pre
sigi
W Sk. Jean de Luz, April 24:30 Two more British foodships are on their way to Bilbao, namely the St. Esso and the Thurston which left La Fallice this morning HMS.Hood arrived in La Pallice this morning and is leaving for England for the Coronation Review but the British cruiser, Shropshire left La Pallice this morning cen route, it is understood for Spain. The third British freighter, zhorpe Hall arrived here this, afternoon, to join the two other› British ships, Sheafeld and Maryla –which are waiting to start for Bilbao.— Reuter
MANY KILLED
MADRID
Huntingdonshire
BILBAO WITHOUT
BREAD
Bilbao, Apr. Despite the arrival of the Stan brook yesterday with · four thou sand tons of wheat, Bul WAS without bread for the seco day in succession as it is impossible yet to mill enough four for the town's neceforge
BUSMEN'S STRIKI SPREADS
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