Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-03-10

schluss nth Nasi Germany or con-
tinued independence.
d. the Associated Press.
VIENNA, March 10.-Street fights
In which at least 40 were injured ane
many arrested broke out today ir
Vienna and Graz as Austria's political
strife reached new pitch of bitter
ness in the campaigning for Sundays
plebiscite
Nazis. angered by Chancellor Kur,
Schuschnigg's sudden call for vote
on his policy of Austrian independence
clashed in both cities with members
of the Fatherland Front, the chan
cellor's party.
Threat of Civil War.
In Graz, capital of Syria and hot
bed OF Austrian Nazis. the dreac
words civil war; passed menacingly
from mouth to mouth when grim.
faced Nazis and Fatherland Front
members toured the city in trucks
armed with clubs, poles and other
weapons
Seventeen were injured in Graz
street clashes: IL more we're hurt
there by clubs of police breaking ur
demonstrations. Vienna counted al
least II hurt.
AT dusk 5000 shouting, excited men
and women thronged Vienna's main
arteries, almost stopping traffic Re-
1nforced police squads were unable to
cope with the crowds Truckload after
truckload of police were rushed to the
scene.
Nazi Flag Hoisted in Linz.
In Linz Nazis hoisted a huge swas-
tika flag to the top of the City Hall.
Nazis in Graz held a mass meeting
before the City Hall, yelling Get rid
of Schuschnigg! He'll Hitler!" until
police dispersed them.
Troops moved through the streets
OF Graz. Three companies were seen
entering Vienna.
Graz Nazi leaders said they were
only awaiting orders before starting a
campaign such as Austria had never
known
ming nOu6h
In Vienna the cries of Hell
6chuschnigg!" and Hell Hitler!"
swelled throughout the day above the
usual roar of traffic.
The entire police force was called
out on an emergency basis that will
continue through Sunday
The two main army garrisons were
held in readiness, with motors of troop
lorrieS constantly running.
The old sedate, friendly, easy
going Vienna had become a tense,
worried, shouting, demonstrating city,
whose population was gripped by a
tension almost unknown here since
the World War.
The issue was whether the influ-
ence of Schuschnigg or of Chancellor
Hitler of Germany should predomi-
nate in Austria.
First Blood Spilled.
Blood flowed in Kaerntnerstrasse,
the main shopping street, for the
first time since Nazis and Fatherland
Front began struggling for the upper
hand when Front members set upon
an ardent Nazi who answered a shout
OF Hell Schuschnigg!" with Hell
Hitler!'
The NaI was pummeled into un-
consciousness before police interviewed.
The police for the most part con-
fined their efforts to keeping the two
factions apart and curbing too demon
strative Hell Hitler!" cries.
Trucks cruised about the city car
rying loud-speakers blaring plebiscite
slogans like With Schuschnigg for a
free German Austria" or Are you for
Austrian independence? Yes or no?
Yes! Yes! Yes!''
This was only the beginning. a few
hours after Schuschnigg issued his
startling call for Sundays referen-
dunn. 1t was expected to continue
night and day through Sunday.
Vote Plans Were Guarded.
Informed persons said plans for an
nouncing the referendum were worked
out in the greatest secrecy by the
chancellor, Burgomaster Richard
Schmitz Of Vienna and Guido Ter
natto, secretary of state.
The announcement was a bombshell
to many foreign diplomats. Franz
voh Papen, the German Ambassador
had advance word of it while vaca-
tioning at Kitzbuehl and hurriedly re-
turned to Vienna to try to dissaude
Schuschnigg.
Nazi ENJOYS were dispatched to Ber-
lin for instructions. Diplomats Won
dered whether some foreign power had
given Schuschnigg assurances of sup
port and possible help. France was
named in such coniectures.