Austrian Town Fortified on Centennial of Hitler’s Birth

Riot troops ringed the house where Adolf Hitler was born, and police said they arrested eight people today for marking the 100th anniversary of the dictator’s birth with Nazi slogans and stiff-armed salutes.

Hundreds of police swarmed this city of 17,000 to prevent a repeat of the 1979 clashes between neo-Nazis and leftists that marked Hitler’s 90th birthday. No serious incidents were reported.

Across the border in West Germany, foreigners closed their stores and kept children out of schools because of fears of neo-Nazi violence. Several members of anti-Nazi vigilante groups were arrested for carrying weapons.

Security was heaviest here at the two-story yellow house where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889. The house, a former inn now used as a day-care center for handicapped children, was sealed off with metal barriers manned by dozens of police and special riot squads with dogs.

About 50 to 100 onlookers stood nearby. Nearly all shops along the street were closed, some barricaded with wooden boards.

Police said unspecified numbers of people were being turned back at the border by West German or Austrian border police.

A police spokesman said two Austrians, three Italians, two West Germans and an American were arrested and face fines of up to $2,300 for their public behavior.

The Italians, one Austrian and the American gave the Nazi salute, said a police official who did not give his name. One West German was arrested after he shouted Nazi slogans and spat at reporters. Police said he was carrying a large knife.

Another West German also shouted anti-Semitic slogans, including “Jew, go and rot!” and “This will be a national holiday in 100 years’ time!”