NAZIS AND FASCISTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 23 April 1934, Page 8

NAZIS AND FASCISTS

CRITICISM OF MUSSOLINI LONDON. 12th April. .Mussolini, by forcing Dolll'uss to crush the Socialists in Austria Las achieved exactly tin* opposite from vvliat was intended, as, instead of nuiyjtainiiiir Austrian independence, hi; reduced iL to a shadow, owing to the, impetus (riven the Nazis, writes a correspondent of tin! “.Manchester Guardian.” Italy is barely able to maintain the Austrian Hoimwehr, and is spending only a fraction of what Germany is discreetly spending on till! Austrian Nazis, (he correspondent adds. If Germany is sullicientlv strong to ward off international intervention, which it at present tears, the Nazis would seize power, ensuiing an Austro-Germau union. Nevertheless, Germany has not recovered sufficiently to linance rearmament enough to make her a great inilitary power, and is now slowing the pace. She may lie aide to disregard international treaties, hut cannot disregard economic Jaws, the correspondent says.

However, the Nazis are confident, and willing to wait, hut it is doubtful whether Austria, as a whole, can wait, as she is increasing her ruin by expenditure on armies and armaments, wliil she has lost all her charm, gaiety and kindliness which preserved lier in days of even greater economic stress. Thu famous Austrian atmosphere has disappeared, leaving nothing to attract tourists except her scei*ry and art treasures.

It is doubtful, also, whether Austria can he. disarmed and pacilied in order to permit better political and economic relations with her neighbours, also whether subversive ltalo-German influences can be eliminated, enabling Austria to live- a normal life before Germany decides to solve I lie Austrian problem in the German way, and even for Austria the German way will be better than no way.