THE STRONG MAN OF AUSTRIA

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1935, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE STRONG MAN OF AUSTRIA

Prince Starhemberg, Son Of An Aristocratic Family, Is Champion Of The Poor

QOME men are born to lead, some ° have leadership thrust upon them. In the former category one must include Hitler and Mussolini; in the latter, Roosevelt and Dollfuss (writes Lieut.-Col. T. C. Moore, M.P., in the “Daily Mail”). But to me there is a figure coming within neither of these categories, who nevertheless demands attention —Price Starhemberg, chief of the Heimatschutz of., Austria.

Starhemberg is an odd contradiction of environment and development. He is the head of one of the oldest and most noble families of Austria, bearing a name distinguished for service to his country, owner of countless castles, heir to 1000 privileges of birth - and caste, and yet to-day the standard-bearer of the rights of the poor, the distressed, and particularly the ex-Service men of his native land.

His war record, brief though it inevitably was, stamps him as a man of courage, moral and physical. Among an army of the brave he was in the vanguard; when failure seemed certain he succeeded. He is no theoretical genius; indeed, it might well be said he is of peasant mind. But if one has known the Austrian peasant one realises the compliment. He has a simplicity of character and honesty of ideals in ill accord with the traditions associated with his birth and rank.

He is not the leader of Austria, it may be said. True, he is only DeputyChancellor, but all who know Dr Schuschnigg realise that, despite his sound abilities and sterling character,, the spark of leadership is missing and that behind the imposing facade that office lends him there stands the magnetic force of Starhemberg.

Prince Starhemberg knows his risks, but he knows his strength; he has weighed his chances, and he certainly recognises the alternatives confronting him in his country. These are Hitler or Mussolini —Nazi-ism or Fascism.

But what of the man himself? Starhemberg is an imposing figure and an attractive personality. Tall and strongly built, with a sensitive mouth and steady compelling eyes, not an easy but certainly a decisive, indeed brilliant, talker, essentially a man who knows his own mind, knows what he wants, and is ruthlessly determined to get it. Due to their more complete unity of intention, the Socialists succeeded in directing post-war Austrian policy for 14 years. Indeed, in the Corporation of Vienna they were supreme, and owing to their strength were successful in squandering the national resources, in impoverishing the national exchequer, and in determining the national philosophy. But—and this must be admitted—these same efforts have resulted, owing to the financial assistance given by the British and French taxpayer, in creating a standard of housing comfort for the working classes, especially in Vienna, enjoyed by no other nation in Europe. When the late Dr .Dollfuss assumed semi-dictatorial powers he had three opposing and powerful sections to co-ordinate- —the Socialists, the Nationalists, and the pro-German Nazis. Though he made a gallant struggle, he failed; hence the chaos still existing in Austria. That Starhemberg has emerged was inevitable; that he will progress is equally assured.

And what of the' future? Can a Hitler and a Starhemberg dwell side by side without either peace or war? Hitler hates Communism; Starhemberg hates Socialism, so there is little between them there. Is the future then obscure? To me there appear three choices. First, economic if not political union with Germany, though at the moment the atmosphere is not propitious for such a development. Second, reunion with Hungary, with or without a Hppsburg on the empty throne, That eventuality, however, would only be possible if the fears of the Little Entente could be quelled. The third is a loose confederation of the States in the Danubian "basin. This might well be achieved under the leadership of Austria, since Austria has most to gain. But Austria must first have that leadership within herself.

If Starhemberg is the man. I: take him to be, if he has the courage and the strength, then indeed peace and prosperity may once more reign in -the troubled valley of the Danube.