Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1924 MGR. SEIPEL: THE SAVIOUR OF AUSTRIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 November 1924, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1924 MGR. SEIPEL: THE SAVIOUR OF AUSTRIA

MGR. SEIPEL, whom a cablegram reported |aia having resigned from the Chancellorship of Austria, is a remarkable and arresting figure ill the political world of Europe. Born of humble parents, in the year 1876, ho entered the priesthood at the earliest possible age, and subseouently took an interestin politics; becoming eventually a member of the Christian Socialists’ Party, of which he was a prominent member. When, in October 1918, the Emperor Karl endeavoured to save his country politically by assembling a Government representative of all parties in the State, Mgr. Seipel was given the portfolio of 'Social Welfare. When the collapse came and all the leading Austrians despaired of saving their country from chaos and ruin, Mgr. Seipel stepped into the breach, and with unexampled fortitude addressed himself to the task of saving his country. That Austria is to-day in a comparative state of prosperity is mainly , owing to this able Cluu’chman’s untiring efforts. Nevertheless even, so whole-hearted a patriot has his enemies. The Social Democratic Party has never forgiven the priestly Chancellor for

not advancing its peculiar political panacea in an Austria which only could bo saved from collapse by the united efforts of all political parties. On June Ist last a young Socialist, named Karl Jaworek, endeavoured to kill, and seriously wounded, the saviour of his country. The Chancellor, in anticipation of a long convalescence, tendered 1 1 is resignation, which, however, the Government refused to accept, and, in keeping with the principles of the Christian creed and .with the instinct naturally imbuing him, the magnanimous lc;*d--er of the Government requested the President of the Republic to pardon the would-be assassin. Now, owing to the Provincial. Party, which has been obstructive for some time past, demanding the separation of the political affairs of rural Austria from those of Vienna, the veteran Chancellor, who recently celebrated • tho twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination as a Catholic clergyman, lias definitely resigned his political post. All those, who have watched with admiration Mgr. Seipel’s splendid patriotism and wonderful po litical achievement, will sincerely hope •he reverend cx-Ohancellor will resume at some future date the guidance of his shattered and sorely-punished country.