A STRONG MAN.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 20, 19 February 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

A STRONG MAN.

AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR.

AMERICAN .PORTRAIT, > There are other statesmen in besides Adolf Hitler, who believe that God helps to make their policies. There; is for example, Engelbert Dollfuss,, the Austrian Chancellor. Dollfuss’ stature —fll'ty-nine inches over all —is proportioned to the size of the nation that he governs. But his cocksureness, his courage, his skill as. a strategist are Napoleonic (states k writer in the “Literary Digest”). He; has literally lifted Austria out of hte oblivion to which the Treatly of St, Germain consigned it and elbowjed a. place for it, again, on the map ofi” Europe. And if you were to ask Dollfuss, himself, how he did it he would probably take you—if you deserved; that much attention —around to his. favourite Viennese church, and point to‘ the altar and tell you that “there is the answer."

Dollfuss, once his mind is made up, is one of the most stubborn politicians in Europe. But his stubbornness is from no mere mental twist. It is born, as be might tell you, of meditation? and of prayer. When Dollfuss has a more thanordinary problem—his days are filled with them —he tackles it like *2#Ler politicians, only with more energy and' generally with more insight. If theanswer does not come at his desk he picks up his hat and cane and slipS around to the church. And however much or widely he is hated, he is nevifr laughed at—either for his conclusions or for the faith which has helped himto reach them.

Of all the nations that made war r Austria was most comprehensively dissected by the peace. She was literally dismembered, carved up and left a place on the map scarcely largeenough in whcih to die. Then, strangely enough, the Powers suddenlyemerged into the post-war world withthe conviction that she must survive;. Nation More Sound. The remarkable fact is not these injections (the loans) kept Austria alive, but, rather, that despitethis accumulated indebtedness, the financial state of the nation has improve! during the last twelve months. It probably true that the economic situation is at least 15 per cent better thani it was when Dolffuss took office.

This is apparent from the figures on money in circulation, national bank; re-discounts, and trade balances. Austria, at present, has a national Budget more nearly in balance than most nations in Europe, perhaps .than any othernation. The currency is stable. Thetrade balance has been improved’ through embargoes on imports and the levying of huge import duties. Meanwhile, with Dollfuss holdingHitler at bay, a good deal - of international scene-shifting is going on tO' the end that Austria’s place in theEuropean economic picture may be improved. But the first step towards such a permanent reconstruction requiresthat Adolf Hitler should be kepfr inleash at the Austrian frontier. That is why Engelbert Dollfuss —all fiftynine inches of him —has a' world figure. The cause that he rep*~ resents is more than Austrian. It is the cause, likewise, of England France and the Little Entente. His success or failure is likely to involve the economic and political future of a considerable area of Europe. There is even some reason to agree with those who believe that it may involve the result of the conflict —now in the making—between Fascism and Democracy.