Vienna, Feb. 17.
Unrest in Austria caused by the appointment of Herr Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a pro-Nazi, as Home Minister and Minister of Public Security, is spreading rapidly, chiefly among factory workers, Lightning protest strikes against the alleged "betrayal of Austria to the Nazis" are reported to have occurred in a number of big factories in the country.
The big event in Vienna to-day was the release of prisoners from the Vienna Central Court prison, variously estimated at between 250 and 500 persons.
Hours before the doors of prison were to open, may relatives waited outside to see husbands, sons or brothers, for the first time, in many cases, since 1934. The police outside the prison kept the crowds moving.
Reports from Germany, say great expectations are entertained in Berlin over the appointment of Herr Seys Inquart who is expected to unite the police force and the Ministry of the Interior under one administration, which is generally regarded as the most important development next to the amnesty.
The first visit which Herr Seyss-Inquart made in Berlin was to the Chief of the Political Police, Herr Himmler, after which he saw Herr von Ribbentrop, the Foreign Minister. Subsequently he was received by Herr Hitler.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.