MURDER OF DR. DOLLFUSS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 11

MURDER OF DR. DOLLFUSS

| . + Trial of Rintelen Begins SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH NAZIS* (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BV ELKCTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 3, 6.35 p.m.) VIENNA, March 2. The trial of Dr. Anton Rintelen before a military court has begun. Extraordinary precautions are being taken to prevent a disturbance. Soldiers with steel helmets, fixed bayonets, and gas masks are on duty in the session hall, and others are patrolling the corridors. The publicprosecutor demanded the imprisonment of Dr. Rintelen, who pleaded not guilty, and looked very weak. Three doctors will be present during the whole trial to watch his condition.

Dr. Rintelen limped slightly, and his right arm is in a sling. His eyes, formerly alert, are now dulled. Convulsive movements of his mouth betrayed his nervousness. His memory is also affected. The principal judge warned Dr. Rintelen that he was free to speak, but must not abuse the right. It was essential that important political questions should be treated in the calmest manner to prevent his health sutfering, and necessitating the abandonment of the trial. The charges included that Dn Rintelen allegedly confessed 1o receiving on July 25 a Nazi courier, who told him to proceed to the Chancellory. Earlier trials revealed that Dr. Rintelen would hand over power to the Nazis. Dr. Frida, one of the judges, matte an effort throughout the day to secure Dr. Rintelen's conviction for treason on the grounds of ambition and jealousy of Dr. Dollfuss, and also previous knowledge of the Nazi putsch, saying that his family and friends were mostly Nazis. Dr. Rintelen staunchly defended himself and denied jealousy or personal differences with Dr. Dollluss He declared that Dr. Dollfuss had authorised him secretly to negotiate with the Nazis to effect a settlement, but lie had not succeeded because the Government refused to accede to the Nazis' demand for an election. He denied over-great association with the German Minister in Rome. On the contrary, he saw the British Ambassador more often. The trial was adjourned after six hours because of Dr. Rintelen's exhaustion. It is expected that the trial will reveal happenings hitherto obscure.

LOn July 2(1 last year, about \M men described as Austrian Nazis, shot Mid'killed the Chancellor of Austria. Dr. Dollfuss. At the same time, a broadcasting station was seized, and a statement that the Government had resigned and that Dr. Anton Rintelcn (formerly Austrian Minister to Italy* would form a new one was broadcast. Armv detachments and members of the Heimwehr recaptured the broadcasting station and besieged the rebels in the Chancellery. Martial law was declared, and a curlew imposed. The attempted coup was a failure, and the Government soon regained control. The possible effects of the attempted coup on other nations caused a tense situation in Europe. 1 NAZIS SENTENCED TO DEATH (Received March 3, 11 p.m.) VIENNA, March 3. Seventeen Nazis were sentenced to death at Salzburg for smuggling explosives in July.