Evening star., 1938-02-06
NAZ|EXPANS|ON|ST
DRIVE IS EXPECTED.
British Cabinet Members
Called to Surprise
Meeting.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. 5.-European chan
celleries tonight attempted to analyze
Adolf Hitler's startling government
changes, with some fearing early ex-
ecution of long deferred Nazi expan-
sionist aims.
British cabinet members, remem-
berlng then-Prime Minister Stanley
Baldwins famous statement, Our
frontier is on the Rhine" held a sur
prise meeting to review Britain's po-
sition in the new situation.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
had the benefit of a personal report
from Britain's Ambassador to Berlin,
Sir Neville Henderson, whose sudden
recall to London this week was under
stood to be primarily to give his own
appraisal of events leading to the
German crisis and the possible conse-
quences.
Most Concern Over Austria.
Britain and France were most con-
cerned, fearing Austria might be the
first victim of any Nazi adventures in
Europe,
Appointment of a new German am
baSsador to Vienna. replacing recalled
Franz Won Papen, was awaited as the
next indication of the Reichs Nazi-
controlled foreign policy and whether
1t would move toward Nazihcation of
It,rv
dream OF Austro-German union.
Britain was understood to consider
as extremely unfortunate the eleva-
ton of Joachim Won Ribbentrop, lately
Ambassador in London, to head the
foreign ministry.
In Paris official comment was re-
served awaiting more evidence of Ger
man plans, but concern over Frances
. Czech and Russian allies was appar-
rent in parliamentary quarters, where
it was stated the German changes
were certain to raise Europe's fever.
Rejoicing in Rome.
In Rome alone was there official re-
1oicing, though nervousness was not
entirely absent concerning internal
: developments within Italys close COL
1aborator.
, Premier Mussolini was jubilant, Lon
don diplomatic quarters said, however,
chiefly over the departure of Ger
many's envoy, Ulrich Won Hassell, who
repeatedly was opposed to the close
cooperation of the Rome Berlin axis.
. Congratulations to Hitler on his
. assumption of control over Germany's
war machine as destined to REIN
force the friendship between our two
armed forces and the relations be-
tween our regimes" were telegaphed
by Mussolini.
Austria Calm on Surface.
Austria was outwardly calm in face
OF the situation of vital importance
to her and hoped too strong a Nazi
party man would not succeed Won
Papen in Vienna for intensification
Of Nazi drive.
Austrians saw good portent in
the transfer of Gen. Walter Won
Reichenau from Munich to Leipzig.
farther from the Austrian frontier.
The Austrian chancellery appeared
more optimistic concerning German
relations after some earlier hours of
uneaSiness.
German developments overshad-
owed the new Mediterranean anti
piracy campaign in which Britain
and France began renewed co-opera-
ton with Italy, whose adherence to
the measures was welcomed with
great satisfaction" informed quarters
said.
The Rome foreign Office disclosed
Italy had agreed to instruct her anti +
piracy part patrol vessels to sink at
sight all submarines cruising below
the surface outside Spanish territorial |
waters. The new precautions came
after Britain lost two merchant ships |
within a week off war-troubled Spain. |
Ofhclal and diplomatic quarters in !
LONDON were uneasy over the posi- |
blllty of increased German and |
Italian aid to the Spanish insurgents. |
as well as fearful for the security of |
central Europe, where Hitler long
has kept an eye on neighboring Ger |
man minorities.
Though Prime Minister Neville
chamberlain remained In Birming-
nam, where he made a speech yes
terday. other cabinet members, in
Guiding Defense Coordination Min |
lister Sir Thomas Inskip, gathered for
the hurried cabinet meeting.
War PREPARATIONS Seen.
MOSCOW, Feb. Py.-Reichs-
fuehrer Adolf Hitler's new control of
the German army command and the
drastic diplomatic shake-up is re-
garded here as an effort TO make more