NEWS OF THE WEEK
IT was just possible; as The Spectator went to press last Thursday, to add a mention of the plebiscite on Austrian independence which the Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Schusch- nigg, had announced on the previous day. By Friday night Austrian independence—which Herr Hitler in July, 1936, and again at Berchtesgaden a month ago, had pledged himself to respect—had been obliterated, Dr. Schuschnigg had been driven from the Chancellorship, and the swastika was flying over the historic Ballhausplatz at Vienna. Not even a shred of justification for an act of violence unprecedented in modern European history can be urged. It was clear that Austria would, on a free vote, declare against union with Germany. What else could be expected of a country where Roman Catholics and Socialists form a clear majority of the popula- tion ? Therefore the plebiscite must be averted. Dr. Schuschnigg agreed to postpone it. That was not enough. His resignation was demanded in the form of an ultimatum from Berlin. The Nazi Minister of the Interior, Dr. Seyss- Inquart, assumed the Chancellorship and under pretext of internal disturbances—which the Austrian Nazis took care to foment effectively—invited Herr Hitler to send in German troops to keep order. They arrived with a speed, and assumed their stations with a precision, which spoke of long preparation for such an enterprise, and by Saturday the occupation was complete. Austria fuit.
