AUSTRIAN REFUGEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1938, Page 7

AUSTRIAN REFUGEES

CONCERTED MEASURES OF HELP

Statement in the House of Commons

U.S.A. INVITATION

FIFTEEN COUNTRIES OFFER TO ASSIST ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. QUESTION OF LEAGUE ACTION RAISED. . (British Official Wireless) (Recd This Day, 10.47 a.m.) RUGBY, April 6. Mr R. A. Butler (Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs) answered several questions in the commons about refugees from Austria. He said fifteen countries, namely the Argentine, Belgium, Brazil, Colmbia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay; Peru, Salvador, Sweden and Uruguay, had replied favourably to the invitation of the United States to concert methods of providing assistance for political and Jewish refugees from Austria.

It was part of the United States proposal that the financing of emergency emigration should be undertaken by private organisations in the respective countries. Mr Butler also said the British Government would make the best possible use of this opportunity for co-operation with the United States. The British Government would naturally be sympathetic to any pro-

posal for Jewish immigration into Madagascar which had the approval of the French Government, but did not contemplate approaching the French Government on the matter. Mr Butler said he hoped to make an early statement on the question of Austrian refugees receiving the protection of the League of Nations. The British Government was ready to do its part in such international action as was possible for dealing with the problem of refugees from Germany, but did not consider feasible steps to secure for racial minorities in Germany full civil liberties, either through direct negotiations or through the machinery of the League of Nations. PRISON AND EXILE FATE OF MANY FORMER DIGNITARIES. (Recd This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 6. The British United Press Vienna correspondent says seventy political prisoners transferred from Vienna to Dachau Concentration Camp, are reported to include Burgomaster and former Vice-Chancellor Schmitz, General Zehner, Dr Schuschnigg’s Defence Minister, two former Defence Ministers, Prince Schoenburghartenstein and General Vaugoin.' It is reported that ex-President Miklas has left for unknown destination. He was given the choice of three abodes 120 miles from Vienna.