THE AUSTRIAN OUTLOOK.

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 12

THE AUSTRIAN OUTLOOK.

“ Evehythixg that happens in Austria,” it has been said, “ is an international question.” For that reason the Nazi “putsch” must have caused almost as much concern in half a dozen European Chancelleries as in that of Vienna which was invaded. The “putsch” was defeated, and first apprehensions that were felt elsewhere would bo relieved appreciably when that news was received. At least there is no danger of a Nazi Government being installed in Vienna, impatient to place their country under Herr Hitler’s control. Official statements meant to be reassuring are not often to be accepted literally, but it may be assumed that that issued by the Italian Foreign Office once the full facts were known came from the heart. “ While the events in Austria,” it stated, “ have filled the. Italian people with sadness, there is no cause for alarm, as the Government appears to be in full control. It is simply, an incident which has passed off like other incidents in the Balkans. There is no general rising, as the Nazis hoped. Our economic policy towards Austria is unchanged.”

Austria’s independence is not at stake. Questions in the House of Commons which, led Sir John Simon to reiterate the joint pronouncement made by Great Britain, France, and Italy in February last on the necessity of preserving that independence were therefore premature. It is worth while, however, to note 1 The Times’s ’ interpretation, expressed at the time, of Great Britain’s part in the pronouncement. The new declaration made on her behalf, it was pointed out, must be read in the light of a statement made a week earlier by the Foreign Secretary, which excluded any suggestion of British interference in the internal affairs of Austria. “ The declaration [on Great Britain’s part] wfis a reaffirmation of British interest in the maintenance of Austrian independence. It was not the assumption of any'fresh commitment. It did not involve a guarantee of other than diplomatic support; and it did not imply either a strengthening or a weakening of the financial and economic assistance which this country - already contributes.” France or Italy might regard the prospect of a German absorption of Austria as an occasion for armed intervention on their part. No British Government could pledge itself to such interference till it knew what the opinion might be of the British people. Italian troops very promptly were mobilised on the Austrian frontier, but they will not cross it. No invitation will be given to German Nazis to enter and take possession of Austria by a Government of which Prince Starhemberg is the leader. But what sort of leader this Heimwehr “ freebooter ” will be and how long he will be able to maintain control are questions that no one can answer. It would be much to expect that ho will be capable of displaying half the tact and resourcefulness of his predecessor, and the task of Dr Dollfuss, in preserving a stable Government amid all the divisions of his country, was one that was almost impossible. The Nazis in Austria will not make trouble for a while. Past examples will be unexpectedly departed from if the sequel to their abortive “ putsch ” is not another Terror. The power of the Socialists was completely broken by Dr Dollfuss’s strong measures. But the Nazis and Socialists, who were bitter foes, will now have a common grievance. If_they make common cause against the new Government its rule may soon be precarious. First alarms may' have been dispelled by the fact that a Heimwehr-Christian Socialist Government is in office, but till Austria has settled down the Powers will still have cause to feel anxiety. Another aspect of the new Government is to be noted. More even than that which Dollfuss controlled it will consist of Monarchists. Dollfuss certainly would have approved of the return of the late Emperor Charles’s son, the Prince Otto, who is now in his twenty-second year, but ho was too cautious to do anything to hurry it. It was enough for him when, in the Constitution of his new “ corporative” State, the word “ republic ” was significantly omitted from the official designation of the country. Prince Starhemberg and other members of his Ministry, however, were whole-souled Monarchists. The Constitution gave extreme powers to the President which could easily be transferred to an “ elected ” king, and the legal obstacles to a Hapsburg restoration in Austria are much smaller than those in Hungary. It was not forbidden by the Peace Treaty. Both Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, however, States formed out of the old empire, are strongly opposed to any return of the former dynasty, ft is possible that a king ruling in Vienna would be the best

surety for Austria’s independence and check to Herr Hitler’s ambitions. The sentiment would turn to him that now turns to Germany. But the effect of that reversion to Monarchy in some other European capitals would bo risky tt is an experiment that should not bo tried too soon.