Evening star., 1938-03-13
Paris and London
Weigh Armed
Assistance.
BRITAIN'S CABINET
RELUCTANT TO ACT
France Seeking Joint
'Hands-Of' Demand
to Berlin.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. March l2.-Adolf Hitler's
bold Nazi seizure of Austria today
thrust the fate OF Czechoslovakia
squarely before Great Britain and
France.
The British cabinet, in an emer-
gency session weighed the possibility
OF armed aid to France in event the
independence Of the war-created re-
public was threatened by Germany.
France, with definite commitments
to protect this third democracy against
invasion. wanted Britain to join her
in warning to Reichsfuehrer Hitler
to keep hands Off"
Cabinet Hesitant.
The cabinet, in tWo-hour meeting,
apparently hesitated at taking the
momentous decision on what to do
Opposition Leaders Clement Attlee,
Laborite, and Sir Archibald Sinclair,
Liberal. were summoned to Whitehall
In what was believed to be a govern
ment effort to unite all parties and
the public behind the fateful steps in
the grave crisis.
The cabinet arranged to meet again
Monday, after which Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain was expected to
state his position in the House OF
Commons.
There was possibility of a House
debate then on the Central European
events.
Election Believed Weighed.
In some quarters there was a sug-
sestion that Mr.. Chamberlain might
be planning snap general election
to seek Endorsement for a stronger
British foreign policy, possibly in
Guiding a promise of armed aid for
Czechslovakia.
But most informed sources indicated
the prime minister might sign his own
political death warrant" if he faced
the country before public opinion
might swing around sharply from the
present isolationist stand.
Anglo Reich Pact Impossible.
A communique issued after the cab
met meeting made it evident that any
Angio-German agreement now was
out Of the question.
The presence of German troops at
the Brenner Pass and their meeting
with the Italian frontier garrison also
symbolized to many Britons prospec-
tive failure Of Mr.. Che mberlain's
month-old attempt to bring the Fas-
cist nation into friendly agree
ment
As Hitler swept into Austria. it was
disclosed in Rome he had sent Mus
sollnl a personal message before his
troops and airplanes moved over the
German border.
The might of the Nazi and Fascist
armies stretched continuously across
Europe from the Baltic to the Medi-
terranean.
Protests Meet Scorn.
Nazi scorn at Anglo-French repre-
sentations over Austria was cited here
as evidence mere protests were vain
In dealing with Germany.
Germany held that no law was vio-
lated in the conquest of Austria as
Hitler in his proclamation emphasized
German military aid was called for
by the new nationalist government in
Vienna"
This view was upheld in many of
the nations in Central Europe where
reaction to the developments ranged
from tense anxiety to jubilation.
Hungary, Switzerland, Czechoslova-
kia and Yugoslavia closed their Aus
trlan borders. Hungary strengthened
her guards along her frontier with
Austria.
Czechoslovakia barred the entrance
OF refugees, but admitted the widow
OF Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss of
Austria, assassinated in 1894, and her
two children.
Yugoslavia announced Austrian Jews
who crossed into her territory Friday
night probably would be elected
The Free City of Danzig, which is
under Nazi domination, was gay over
Hitler's Austrian action; Nazi flags
decked the city: Nazi organizations
telegraphed their congratulations to
Der Fuehrer.
Soviet Russia, where the great trea-
son trial of 81 confessed plotters drew
to an end, withheld official reaction.