§ 30. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state whether a special meeting of the Council of the League of Nations is to be called to consider the situation in Austria?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)I am not aware of any intention to call such a meeting.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance, if it should prove necessary, of the matter being dealt with through the League and not being left to one or two individual States?
§ 32. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received either from the Italian Government or the Austrian Government, a copy of the evidence furnished by the Austrian Government to the Italian Government containing proofs that Nazi outrages in Austria are being inspired by or from Germany; and whether he will take steps in conjunction with other Governments to warn the German Government that these outrages must cease?
§ 33. Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have made plain to the parties implicated their point of view concerning the continued foreign propaganda in Austria and the 2262 interference in Austrian internal affairs which have culminated in the murder of Dr. Dollfuss?
§ Sir J. SIMONIn February last, and again recently, I received from the Austrian Government a collection of material indicating the complicity of German influence in propaganda against the Austrian Government and in a series of outrages committed on Austrian territory. This material was also communicated by the Austrian Government to the Italian and French Governments. In acknowledging the receipt of this communication, I informed the Austrian Minister that
while His Majesty's Government have no intention whatever of interfering in the internal affairs of another country, they fully recognise the right of Austria to demand that there should be no interference with her internal affairs from any other quarter.I read the text of this reply to the House on the 13th February. The views of His Majesty's Government on this matter, abstaining from interference ourselves and reprobating interference by others, remain unchanged.
§ Sir J. SIMONHis Majesty's Government's view is well known, and what I have said will, no doubt, have its effect.
§ Mr. NICHOLSONHas the right hon. Gentleman made a direct protest to the German Government and an expression of reprobation?
§ Sir J. SIMONHaving regard to the great sense of responsibility which must attach to anyone who puts or answers questions, I would prefer that the hon. Member should put a question on the Paper.
§ 34. Mr. NICHOLSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House the latest information at his disposal concerning the state of affairs in Austria?
§ 36. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make in relation to the situation in Austria?
§ Sir J. SIMONA new Austrian Government was formed early this morning, in which Dr. Schuschnigg is Chancellor and Prince Starhemberg Vice-Chancellor. The 2263 latest reports appear to indicate that the insurrection is now at an end, though sporadic fighting with the insurgents may still be going on in one or two outlying districts.
§ 35. Mr. NICHOLSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government are taking and propose to take to preserve the independence of Austria?
§ Sir J. SIMONHis Majesty's Government are continuing to watch the situation carefully, but no action on their part is either called for or in contemplation.