RESTLESS EUROPE

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 9

RESTLESS EUROPE

INDEPENDENCE DF AUSTRIA PRINCE STARNEMBERG’S VIEWS OPPONENT OF NAZI REGIME Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 11. Discussing the future of Central Europe, Prince Starhemberg, in an exclusive interview with the ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ diplomatic correspondent, said his most serious concern was that the weakening of Italy by the Abyssinian war might disturb the balance of power in Europe. He still feels that the Italian army constitutes the only substantial force to which Austria could, look for succour in the case of German attempt to over-run her. “ Austria to-day is content with her present borders,” he said. “ Its people ask only for security against aggression. Our need is for increased confidence among the Danubian peoples, so that we may approach the ideal of a United States of Centriil Europe. It is for this reason that we resist the Nazi theory of ‘ one race, one Fatherland.’ That policy would lead to two opposing camps, pan-Germanism versus pan-Slavism, and result in the destruction of Europe.” ‘Prince Starhemberg denied that the youth of Austria were strongly proNazi, and said that the young and older people realised that an Austrian could be a good German without being Nazi. It was only a section of those between the ages of 26 and 35 who hgd Nazi sympathies. They acquired these views during the years when the newlyfounded Austrian Republic was unable to supply all their wants.

ITALY AND GERMANY POSSIBILITY OP UNDERSTANDING. LONDON, February 11. The possibility of an understanding between Italy and Germany continues to be discussed. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Paris correspondent emphasises that it is growing clearer every day that Signor Mussolini may be forced by the League’s continued hostility to declare that Italy can no longer guarantee Locarno, thus enabling Germany to claim that the whole treaty has lapsed. M. Flandin realises the danger, but is still hopeful that he can manoeuvre to maintain the vital link with London without estranging Rome, and is apparently optimistic of some early acceptable settlement between Italy and Abyssinia, enabling speedy re-estab-lishment of the Stressa front; If this is not done there are many who believe that the next move will be some Working agreement between Rome and Berlin.

The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Rome correspondent says it is officially denied that Italy is negotiating an understanding with Germany, and it cannot be doubted that Italy would prefer to keep the Stressa front in existence if possible. Nevertheless, it is asserted that Italy cannot indefinitely keep up even an appearance of friendship with nations which are doing their utmost to prevent a successful solution of the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia. The Italians consider that they have been betrayed and this feeling will probably continue to rankle Jong after the East African campaign has finished. The interruption in Italian trade with England and France has already intensified the commercial relations with Germany, and commercial relations are often the forerunner of close political relations. It is declared that the day may not be far distant when Italy will be obliged to adopt an official policy more in keeping with the realities of the present situation.