Evening star., 1936-07-12
REICH RECOGNIZES
INDEPENDENCE Of
AUSTRIA IN ACCORD
Agreement Carries Proviso
That 1t Declare Self
German State.
GOEBBELS DESCRIBES
PACT IN RADIO TALK
Two Nations Agree to Refrain
From Interfering in Internal
Affairs of Other.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Austria, reduced TO the size OF
Belgium BY peace treaties, has
found herself torn between union
NTH her sister nation, Germany,
on one side and independence,
supported by Italy. on the other.
Hitler. in coming to poUer, brought
NTH him program OF a greater
Germany reuniting all persons OF
German nationality. Nazis' dgita-
ton in Austria has met pith de-
termined opposition on part OF
Italy and France.
ey the Associated Press.
BERLIN, July 1.-THE German
government announced tonight it rec
ognized the independence of Austria
thereby apparently bringing to ar
end situation fraught with danger
to Europe
The announcement, made after
agreement with the Austrian govern
ment, contained the significant pro-
viso that Austria declares herself to
De IeTndn StdJe.
Paul Josef Goebbels. Germanys
minister of press and propaganda.
described the accord to the German
people in a radio broadcast:
In addition to establishing Ger
manyis recognition of Austria's indie
pendence, the accord provides that
the two nations agree to refrain from
interfering in each others internal
affairs
CHitherto. Austrian leaders have
contended the NaZi movement in
Austria was directed from Germany.
alleging that Austrian government
were menaced by German politics.
Agree to Seek Sterilization.
Both nations agreed to co-operatc
toward the sterilization of the Cen
trail European situation, this cooper
alton to be undertaken as two closely
related German states.
Although it was stated specifically
that Nazi-ism in both countries will
be regarded as a strictly internal af-
fair, it was understood that the Aus
trian government would permit the
inclusion of one Nazi minister in its
cabinet.
The agreement failed to indicate
what attitude might be tatken BY
either country on the question of re-
establishing a Hapsburg monarchy in
Austria-but the fact an accord was
reached indicated Germany would re-
gard that matter as solely Austrias
business.
There was general inclination ul
neutral diplomatic quarters to well
come the accord as a pacifcation
move, but there was also a disinclina-
ton to predict the ultimate repercus-
sions.
1t was pointed out that the posi-
bility of a future "Anschluss" (unionl
was not repudiated in the new agree
| ment.
| Some said they saw in Reichfuehrcr
Hitler's concessions to Austria q move
to block Soviet RusSias growing in
f1uence in the Danube Basin-in other
words, Austria was needed to COM
plete an anti-Communist bulwar6
through Middle Europe. separating
France from Russia and tending tc
encircle Czechoslovakia.
Text of Communique.
The verbatim text of the official
communique as read by Goebbels fol-
| lows:
In the conviction of contributing
a valuable aid to European develop
ment for the maintenance of peace
and also in the belief that thereby
may best be served the many-sided
mutual interests of those German
states, the German Reich's govern
ment and the Austrian government
have decided to restore their relations
on a basis of normality and friend
ship.
ITO this end it is declared:
81. In accordance with the declara-
ton of Reichsfuehrer Hitler, May 81.
1885, the Reich's government recog-
nizes the full sovereignty of the fed
eral state of Austria.
90. Each of the two governments
regards the inner political structure of
the other country-including the Ques-
ton of Austrian National Socialism
| (Naziism)-as an internal affair of
the other country on which it will
neither directly nor indirectly exercise
influence.
"'3 The Austrian federal govern
(See AUSTRIA, Page A-SJ