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GERMAN ACTION IN AUSTRIA French Pledge DENOUNCED BY CHAMBERLAIN To Aid Czechs
INTENSIFIES UNCERTAINTY AND
INSECURITY IN EUROPE
Premier Utters Grave Warning
London, March 14.
The House of Commons today was crowded to hear Mr. Neville Chamberlain's state- ment on the Austrian situation, many members occupying seats at the side of the galleries. while foreign ambassadors were among those present in the Strangers Gallery.
BLUM DECIDES ON
A
ARMS EXPANSION
Paris, March. 14.
French pledge to protect Czechoslovakian independence was given today to the Czechoslovak Minister by M. Leon Blum, French Prime Minister, and M. Paul Bon- cour, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
M. Charles Corbin, French Ambassador to London, was also Instructed to inform the British Government of this pledge.
It is understood in French poli- tical circles that the pledge means
Fance intends to take immediate action in the event of any German threat to Cechoslovakia, without
Mr. Chamberlain said the results of the meeting at Berchtesgaden between the Austrian waiting to consult Britain. and German Chancellors were stated by the latter to be an extension of the framework of the 1936 agreement which provided, inter alia, for recognition of the independence of Austria by Germany and recognition by Austria of the fact that she was a German State.
Whatever, therefore, the results of the Berchtesgaden meeting. It was clear that any agreement reached was still on the basis of the independence of Austria.
Detailing recent events, Mr. Chamberlain said that matters came to a head on March 11 when Dr. Seyss-Inquart and his colleagues presented an ultimatum to Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg demanding abandonment of the plebiscite and threatened that if this was re- fused the Nazis would abstain from voting and that they could not be restrained from causing serious disturbances during the poll.
They required an answer before demanded the resignation of the March 13.
Chancellor and his replacement by The Austrian Chancellor declin-Dr. Seyss-Inquart, the formation ed the ultimatum, but offered act a new Cabinet, two-thirds ol compromise whereby 4 second which should be National-Social- plebiscite should be held later. ists, the re-admittance of the Au5 -
Feeling himself under
the trian Legion, and the total re- threat of civil war and pos admission of the Nazi Party. sible military invasion. Dr. von The Austrian Chancellor later Schuschnigg agreed to cancel the announced by wireless that in plebiscite on the eendition that view of the German threatened country Invasion he had yielded to avoid the tranquillity of the was undisturbed by the Nazis. shedding German blood, and Aus- There seemed to, be little doubt trian troops had been instructed that the offer was referred to Ger- to offer no resistance if and when many. In any event, the reply of German troops crossed the fron-
the Ministers concerned was that tier. the offer was insufficient and that Dr. Schuschnigg must resign in order to be replaced by Dr. Seyss Inquart
YIELD TO THREAT
BRITISH PROTEST
"Mr. Chamberlain proceeded t recall the British note of protest delivered on March 11, adding that earlier in the same day h
CHAMBERLAIN.
SEES KING **
London, March 14.
The Cabinet meeting this morning lasted three-quarters of an hour, during which the. Austrian situation was dis- cussed.
The French Ambassador and: the German Charge d'Affaires called at the Foreign Office separately.
Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, was received in audience by His Majesty at Buckingham Palace, and re- mained to lunch-Reuter).
It is thought that this raight Incan France Would order motilisation if the situation became sufficiently serious.
M. Paul Boncour, today sum- Imoned the French Ministers at Vienna. Belgrade and Brussels to meet in Paris to discuss the situa- tion (Reuter),
PREMIER'S SPEECH ĶĪSAPPOINTS FRANCE
Paris. March. 15. On the whole. the British Prime Minister's speech has disap- pointed political quarters here:
Having reaffirmed her obligations to Czechoslovakia, France hoped that Mr. Cham- berlain might give the world | their part.-(Reuter); '
some indication, however veil- ed, that Britain stood by col- lective security and was not prepared to see Independent countries beaten down,
At the same time, the importance of Mr. Chamberlain's statement
sequences could only come into with regard to revision of arma- play if an attempt was made by ments is fully appreciated here third party, in contradiction to the as a warning to others that Britain peaceful intentions and legitimate realises that the new situation must alms of the Reich, to exercise in be taken very seriously. the developments of the situation in Austria an influence inconsistent with the right of the German peo- ple to self-determination.
It appeared that Dr. Schusch-made earnest representations in sense to the German nigg was given until 4.30 p.m. in the same which to reply, and that he was Minister for Foreign Affairs, with Informed that if the reply was.un-whom Viscount Halifax also had satisfactory German troops would two conversations the same day.
This fact seemed to show that French be ordered to move at 5 p.m.
Later in the day, a fresh ulti-Germany, was behind the ultima
to which appeared
belum (Cheers). matum
The German Government's reply brought from Germany by plane
stated that the British Government was not within its rights in claim- ing the role of protector for the Independence of "Austria.
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A letter from Baron von Neurath to the British Ambassador in Ber- in stated that the German Gov- ernment had never left the British Government in any doubt that the form of the relations between the Reich and Austria cojild only be regarded as internal affair of the German people, which was not the concern of third powers.
PURÉ IMAGINATION
In particular, the allegation that the ultimatum presented demand- ed a Cabinet, and Chancellor ac- cording to a list of certain candidates in conformity with the proposals of the German Govern- ment, falling which the entry of German troops into Austria would have to be contemplated, was described by Baron von Neurath as pure imagination.
The letter went on to say that the despatch of forces from Ger- many was first raised by an Aus- trian request.
"Faced with the directly threatening danger of bloody, civil war in Austria, the Government of. the Releb decided to meet the ap- peal," the letter added.
ARMS EXPANSION
The French Premier, M. Leon Blum, stated last night that in View of the gravity of the situation HOPE PREJUDICED
he has decided on urgent procedure Mr. Chamberlain, after stating|før voting extra credits to expand that the Government had remain the arms programme. ed in the closest touch with the M. Blum was addressing the Government throughout. General Workers' Federation, and said that it seemed to them. that appealed for trade union co-opera- the methods adopted throughout|tion to speed up arms production. called for the severest condem- An executive spokesman of the nation, and they had administered Federation replied that the workers a shock to all who were entrusted were ready to make, the required with the preservation of European effort provided others also" did peace.
It followed that what had passed with the French and Itällan Gor. could not fail to have prejudiced
the hope of the British Govern-ernments, to whom they had made ment of removing misunderstand an immediate approach when Aus- ings between nations and premot. trian independence seemed to be
threatened by recent events. ing international co-operation.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
As a result, the French Govern- Iment addressed a similar protest After Mr. Chamberlain had re-to Germany, but from the Italian futed rumours sedulously put about Government they had not received. In many quarters that the Govern a full exposition of their views. ment had given consent. If not Mr. Chamberlain emphasised encouragement, to the idea of the that the British Government had absorption of Austria by Germany, always made it clear that it strong- he referred to the attitude of ly disapproved the application of Czechoslovakia.
violent methods for a solution of He said he was informed that this problem. # Field-Marshal Hermann Goering
The hard fact was that nothing on March 11 gave a general assur- could have arrested this action by ance to the Czechoslovak Minister Germany unless Britain and others to Berlin that it would be the ear- had been prepared to use force to nest endeavour of the German prevent them. Government to improve German- Czech relations.
Оп
the same day the Czech Minister was assured by Baron von Neurath that Germany considered Herself bound to the German- Czechoslovak arbitration tion of October 1925.
ITALY SILENT
conven-
The Prime Minister maintained that Britain had fully discharged
The letter concluded with the contention that dangerous con- her pledge for consultation both
Britain Wants German Troops Out Of Austria
London, March' 14. Replying to the debate in the House of Commons today, Mr. R. A. Butler. (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) said that the British Government had made representations to Berlin regarding the with- drawal of German troops from Austria and the treatment of Catho. Hes, Jews and Socialista
"It is impossible for any words introducing any form of military of mine to express how solemnly service.
GRAVE WARNING**
"I imagine," said the Pre- mier, "according to the tem- peraments of the individual. that the events in our mind today will be the cause of re- gret. sorrow, and perhaps in- dignation" (Cheers).
"They cannot be regarded by the
In- Government with difference and 'équanimity. They are bound to have an effect that cannot be mea- sured. The immediate resulta must be to intensify the sense of uncertainty and insecurity in Europe.
"We must consider the new situation clearly, but with a cool judgment and in thé con- fidence that we shall be sup- ported in asking that none, whatever his particular pre- conceived notions be, shall-re-... gard himself as excluded from any extension of national, ef- forts that may be called for." Concluding, Mr. Chamberlain re- ferred to the defence programme. He declared: "We have always
the Government feels in this mat- Mr. Chamberlain meant that if ter," said Mr. Butler, "and what the Government decided to extend importance they attach to their, the air force programme; they made it clear that it is flexible and representations."
would ask employers and workers would have to be reviewed from Mr. Butler declared that no for inconveniences or perhaps time to time in the light of any
could particular result
accrue sacrifices.
development in the international from referring the Austrian ques- Regarding British policy in Cen-situation. tion to the League of Nations. tral Europe, Mr. Butler stated "It would be idle to deny that Such a course could not be con- that the Government had given recent events do not constitute à ducive to a realistic solution or ano special guarantees towards change of the kind we had satisfactory result,
Austria and Czechoslovakia apart mind.
"Accordingly we have decided to Regarding collective security. Fr from obligations' as a member of said, the Government's policy was the League towards a fellow 'mem- make a fresh review, and" in due games course we shall-announce - what to make it a reality if possible. ber.
in
Mr. Butler emphasised that the The rote was agreed to with no further steps we think it necessary.
to take."-(Reuter. Government had no intention of division (Reuter).