The possibility of an accord between the Austrian government and the Nazis is being widely discussed here. Chancellor Schuschnigg is believed to favor such an agreement, realizing that the government at present has the support of less than a third of the population and that it must find a stronger base within the country. There is also the need of a stronger status for Austria to enable it to step out of the present position of a cockpit between contending nations.
Dr. Walter Riehl, Austrian Nazi leader, in an interview here on the subject, said that difficulties in conciliation consist in the fact that such a short time has passed since the assassination of Dr. Dollfuss.
DESIRES CONCILIATION
“The chancellor,” he said, “certainly desires conciliation because the government now has the support of less than a third of the population, and also for reasons of foreign policy since Austria is indeed the cockpit of grave conflicts which might easily lead to a European war. The difficulties forced by the chancellor are very important ones. He is certainly convinced by myself and my movement, the so-called old guard in national Socialism, that we are opposed to “gleichschaltung” and have nothing else at the back of our minds about removing the Catholic elements and the Heimwehr after the inclusion of my movement in the government. On the other hand, we lack the blessing of Hitler. I am convinced indeed that in the event of our success, Germany would in view of foreign policy reach a compromise as I have in mind on a Christian National basis. The Austrian Socialists will also agree to such a solution if we can give our people a free life, amnesties, etc.
“Chancellor Schuschnigg has, in addition to me, received the representative of the movement, said to be recognized by Munich, Engineer Reinthaler, and is in contact with him. Reinthaler had already joined me last winter in my action against Habicht and has participated at meetings opposed to the Habicht policy.
DEFINES CONFLICT
“He is considered as recognized by Munich. It is this fact, however, which is arousing opposition among the adherents of the government, the Christian Socialists, and particularly the Heimwehr. The dilemma in which the Schuschnigg government finds itself cannot be denied. Direct negotiations between the governments I consider as a vicious circle. The conflict consists of this: that Germany wants a National government, or a government in which there is a powerful National influence. Since July 25 (the date of the Dollfuss assassination) the claims of Berlin have been watered down. The Schuschnigg government can arrive at peace with Germany only, however, if it has made an amicable arrangement first with the Austrian National Socialists here in Austria.”
Replying to questions on the differences between his program and that of Reinthaler, Dr. Riehl said:
HAS OFFERED PROGRAM
“Reinthaler has submitted a program to the government, according to which the Nationals in Austria would form a National Front headed by Chancellor Schuschnigg. He demands, as I do, peace and friendship with Germany, amnesties, etc. On the instructions of my followers, I have submitted to the chancellor another program without any hostility to Reinthaler. I am for the entry of the Nationals into the branches of the Fatherland Front without any distinction among the membership. Vienna, alone, would have Aryan local groups for National Socialists and other Christian Socialists who stand on the same principles.
“I would give the signal for mass entry as soon as the government would prove for us commanding places in the Fatherland Front, in the district leadership and in the state governments.
WOULD BAN VOTING
“In brief, I naturally want the Fatherland Front to have no voting and no elections, just as in the Fascist party in Italy, or the National Socialist party in Germany, the power resting with the state.”
On the question of relations with the German National Socialist party, Dr. Riehl said:
“Hitler remains for us the head of the great German state, whose friendship with our homeland Austria we desire. We still stand on the standpoint that owing to absolutely unqualified and criminal advisers he has in the past eighteen months conducted an unfortunate policy on the Austrian question and must suffer the consequences. For the rest, it is natural that any subjugation of the National Socialists in the Austrian state administration to German headquarters must be out of the question.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
