MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1938. Germany Absorbs Austria

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 61, 14 March 1938, Page 6

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1938. Germany Absorbs Austria

Germany's absorption of Austria is the culmination of a long-anticipated event. That this should some day happen has been recognised as probable, if not inevitable, by most European observers.

The actual happening has taken place with the dramatic suddenness characteristic of Hitler’s record. It is apparent, too, that the ground had been prepared as regards Italy, the one potentially forceful objector. The step has also been taken at a time judged to be propitious when objections from other Powers would take form only as notes of protest. Austria has existed in independent poverty for the past twenty years as a tiny State with a huge capital. Once the heart of a great nation of 5(5,000,000 people, post-war Austria was reduced to an area of 32,369 square miles, three-quarters the size of the North Island of New Zealand. In this territory were some 7,000,000 inhabitants, 2,500,000 of whom were crowded in the over-large capital of Vienna. Their former empire markets largely lost, their plight in these post-war years has been parlous. Union with Germany for mutual economic benefit had long been contemplated. Some six years ago an Anchluss or Customs miion with Germany was proposed, but France blocked this. Again in 1934, unity with Germany was under discussion when Mussolini effectively halted negotiations by placing 300,000 troops on Austria’s southern border at the Bremner Pass.

. Doubtless a considerable element in Austria will have been opposed to unification with a Nazi Germany, but a large section of the population will welcome the present development for its economic considerations. In race and speech and culture, Austrians and Germans are really one people. To the other nations of Europe, no previous action of Germany’s has been of such deep significance. To no other nation is this move so than to Italy. In the past that State has always been opposed to having Germany upon her border. Indeed, she has good cause to fear her arrival there, for there exist some 2,000,000 of “lost” Germans in the Tyrol, now Italian territory. Reports advise that Rome, previously advised of the event, is taking the news quietly. Very naturally, speculation is current as to what price has Germany paid to gain Italy’s silence. What is the bargain?

The nation next most concerned is Czechoslovakia. Germany shows recognition of this by having sent a Note to that State giving a re-assuranee that no action is contemplated towards her. Whether the re-assuranee will re-assure is a matter for doubt. Czechoslovakia to-day is what Serbia was in 1914; the potential powder magazine that may start a general conflagration. Russia is the Czech’s big brother just as she was to Serbia in 1914. And now, as then, France is Russia’s ally. Both nations will naturally object on principle to Germany’s absorption of Austria. But no definite action need be feared, unless Germany should attempt the coercion of Czechoslovakia, which does not at present appear to be a likelihood. The Austidan coup will naturally cause grave uneasiness to the two Balkan States, Yugoslavia and Rumania. To their neighbours, Hungary and Bulgaria, it may be a cause for jubilation because they are “have-not” nations, eager for restoration of lost territories.

To Britishers the all-important question is: What will be Britain’s reaction? To England, Austria is a far-away place—in importance of less concern than China, Spain or Abyssinia. Britain will protest, but what else can she do? Most certainly, however, Britain’s attitude towards Germany will be influenced by the coup, though possibly to only a minor degree. A move against Czechoslovakia by Germany would be a very different matter.

The full outcome of Germany’s action is yet to be seen. The first factor to be noted is that Germany gains an addition of approximately 10 per cent, to her strength. She has also pushed her frontier farther to the south-east of Europe. For all practical purposes Austria may now be considered a German province. This event cannot but increase the already great tension in Europe. Time may, however, and probably will, ease that.

Further news will be awaited with the greatest interest. Much has yet to be explained, most particularly the mystery of Italy’s acceptance, unless it be but a sign of impotence in the face of Germany’s power and determination.