Schuschnigg Resigns; Plebiscite Abandoned; Seyss-inquart Asks German Troops

Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg Tonight Yielded to German threats by resigning his position, a few hours after Nazi rioting had forced abandonment of the “independence” plebiscite scheduled for Sunday.

(Havas News Agency said Nazi Interior Minister Arthur Seyss-Inquart telegraphed Chancellor Hitler that a provisional Government had been set up and asking that German troops enter Austria. President Wilhelm Miklas was reported to have refused Schuschnigg’s resignation, but the effect of this action on the confused situation was not immediately clear. The Austrian Legation in London said German Field Marshal Hermann Goering had entered Vienna. German Troops, which had been massed at the frontier, were reported by several sources to have crossed the border, but Berlin denied this up to late evening.)

The actions came after widespread Nazi rioting, marked last night by a Nazi march into the Jewish Leopoldstadt Quarter of Vienna. Several Jews were beaten before police restored order. Nazis shouted “Perish Judah!” as they demonstrated in the city’s center and surrounding districts.

The Austrian situation, as summed up by the Havas News Agency late yesterday afternoon, follows:

The Schuschnigg Government capitulated last night in face of mounting german pressure after Berlin sent troops to the Austrian border, and Vienna, for a time, had prepared military resistance. International action in favor of Austria was indicated as doubtful.

Vienna — Chancellor Schuschnigg resigned in face of a Reich ultimatum, after calling off his Sunday “independence” plebiscite, storm center of the crisis, and sending troops toward the German border. A last appeal to Britain for aid was said to have met with London’s refusal to advise Schuschnigg to resist Germany. Interior Minister Seyss-Inquart emerged as probable new chancellor.

Berlin — Unconfirmed reports said Reich troops might enter Austria momentarily. Munich earlier sent troops and Nazi militia to the Border. Praha reported Reich troops had already crossed into Austrian territory. Chancellor Hitler was reported ready to take important decisions. Austria was accused of violating the Berchtesgaden accord.

London — Prime Minister Chamberlain, postponing the traditional British weekend, was reported to have advised Reich Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop not to interfere in Austria. The French and Austrian envoys went to the Foreign Office for conferences.

Paris — France learned Italy would not cooperate internationally in favor of Austria, at least for the present. Foreign Minister Delbos saw the British, German and Austrian envoys; where after France expressed a stand against Reich interference in Austria. Socialist leader Leon Blum, trying to form a cabinet, was consulted.

Rome — Officials maintained an attitude of complete reserve in view of “grave and delicate” developments in Austria.