UNDER THE HEEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9632, 12 April 1917, Page 8

UNDER THE HEEL

HAPLESS AUSTRIA ANTI-GERMANS COWED AJ® DUMB. The conditions now existing in tht Dual Monarchy, the influence in Aus-tria-Hungary of the German military party and how the neutral press is hoodwinked by false correspondence, is the subject of an enlightening letter from a Berne correspondent to the mingham "Post." Nothing appearing in the Austrian press, says a recent American exchange, gives any real clue to conditions in Austria-Hungary. Of this, he says, he is assured by a neutral journalist just arrived in Switzerland from Vienna. "In Vienna, for instance, there are some correspondents of American and other neutral newspapers, but wore one of them to attempt to write what ho wishes to wnto and knows is true and of interest h© would merely bo wasting his time. ‘“You may take it from me/ said my informant, 'that everything which appears either in the Swiss or the American press from correspondents in Austria is to all jntots and purposes written by the Austrian Press Bureau. As for tho Austrian and Hungarian newspapers, from which so many newspapers in belligerent countries compile articles, they are so carefully censored that no real information on any matter of deep interest can be gained from them. It is merely necessary to look at tho more independent Hungarian newspapers and see the columns and even entire pages, absolutely blank to know the fate awaiting anyone who wishes either to express his feelings or publish any salutary criticism of the Government or authorities/

“He also called my attention to certain letters and articles from Hungarian correspondents published in English newspapers. ■’ ’They are nothing but fiction,* he said, which reminds me of what a Hungarian once said to a friend of mine in London, that he went to England because in 'his own country ho could not find fools enough to live upon. Some English newspapers have too great a tendency to do exactly what the Austrian. and to a less extent the German, press does, and that is, publish, what their readers like to be to.ld rather than what is true. Very often, moreover, the Austrian and Hungarian press bureaux purposely insert articles or paragraphs in newspapers from, which they know that articeles about are composed for tho pres* of their enemies, in which they are merely imitating, an example set them by Germany. CORRESPONDENCE IMPOSSIBLE. “Not only is it impossible at present to send any manuscript out of AustriaHungary except suon as meets with tho approval of me authorities, but even a oona hue neutral correspondent cannot leave the mouarcyh save with tho greatest difficulty. Even I, who have lived, m Switzerland since the war and Jong oelore it and have had certain, means of keeping in touch with events in both the central Empires since the war, now find it aimost impossible to pleasure any trustworthy news from a oorr*>. spondenn, even verbally, and this because it any one enters Germany or AustriaHungary he is seldom let out again. Consequently X often wait weeks without learning any news of value. “Since the death of the old Emperor a remarkable number of changes have taken place in Austria-Hungary. .The now Emperor is very nervous and at present seems to be feeling his wayThe Empress Zita is generally considered his bette rand stronger half, and, to use a homely phrase, it is seh who wear# the breeches or is expected to don them one day. _ . "The Austrian Foreign. Minister and Prime Minister have gone, and the Hungarian. Prime Minister, Count Tissa, is feeling somewhat uneasy, and, it is said, is regarded not altogether favourably by the Hungarians as being too pro-Ger-man. Herr Sieghart. chain*** of the Austrian Land Bank and a pillar of German influence in Austria, has also gone, and at the shortest notice; Baron Macohio, head of the political department at tho Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Count Forgaoh, who has resigned and whose resignation was accepted without a word, have all left. "Now. Count Forgach was strongly anti-Serbian, and he it was who drafted in 1914 the ultimatum to Serbia. And it may he that Count Tisza, will also have io go and be succeeded by Count Andrassy, who. himself pro-German, has a son-in-law. Count Kaxolvi, who is considered positively Anglouhile. PRUSSIAN ABSOLUTE. “That, an anti-German feeling doe* exist in Austria and Hungary, a resentment at seeing everywhere some dictatorial Bavarian or Prussian, it undeniable, but I am assured that, the anti-Germans have absolutely no influence—or.at any rate, they have hitherto had none. Austria, he says, is now virtually governed by Germany. Whatever government office is entered, whether for War Offio or any othr, there i» some Prussian ready to trample upon every one with his boots, ruling every one and everything. "Most extraordinary of all, . he said, “is to see recruits being examined for the Austrian army. Sometimes as many as three Austrian hpysicians will deolare a man unfit. Then come® along one German physician and says he is fit, and go bo must, against the advice of three medical men of his own country. This was particularly notioeabie early in November last, when the 1866-18 a classes, both years inclusive, were cal ed up. Men approaching 50. of mfenor iinysique and wearing sP ecta . naps because of very short whom the Austrian physicians absolutely rejected—nevertheless had to, go because or Bavarian physician would h “So'deeply impressed was my informant with the helplessness of the AustroHungarian people that he demies wbother even the Austrian Beichsrath, Which ought to have been now in session but not. will have the courage really to tackle affairs, for the life of any Individual is of slight value if he oppose* Germanisation and Germanising influences- In Austrian homes at which niv informant was accustomed, -to call his hosts frankly admitted in so many words, there being no Germans present, that it was not the Austrian who desired this war, but the German military partv which drove them into it. “ 'We could have settled with . Serbia ’ thev say, 'without dragging in all Europe, but the Germans would not have it so. The street demonstrations in Vienna in favour of the war and ths articles inciting to war which appeared in the Austrian nres« during July, 1914 were inspired by Berlin.'