FUTURE OF CENTRAL EUROPE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20340, 12 February 1936, Page 9

FUTURE OF CENTRAL EUROPE

AUSTRIA FEARS INVASION NO SYMPATHY WITH NAZISM WILL ITALY TURN TO GERMANY? United Press Association —By Electrio Tel egraph—Cop yrlght (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. Discussing the future of Central Europe Prince Starhemberg (ViceChancellor of Austria), in an exclusive interview with the diplomatic correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph,” said his most serious concern was that the weakening of Italy, by the Abyssinian war, might disturb the balance of power in Europe. He still feels that the Italian army constitutes the only substantial force to which Austria could look for succour in case of a German attempt to overrun her. “Austria to-day,” added the Austrian leader, “is content with her present borders, and its people ask only security against aggression. Our need is for increased confidence among the Danubian peoples, so we may approach the ideal of the United States of Central Europe. It is for this reason we resist the Nazi theory: ‘One race, one Fatherland.’ That policy would lead to the two opposing camps, pan-Ger-manism v. pan-Slavism, and result in the destruction of Europe.” Prince Starhemberg denied that the youth of Austria were strongly proNazi. He said the young and the older people realise that an Austrian can be a good German without being a Nazi. It was only the section between the ages of 26 and 35, who had Nazi sympathies. They had acquired these views during the years when the newly-founded Austrian Republic was unable to supply all their wants.”

ITALO-GERMAN RELATIONS. OFFICIALLY DENIED IN ROME. United Prese Association— By electric Tel egraph —Copyrlgh t (Received February 11, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. The possibility of an understanding between Italy and Germany continues to be discussed. The Paris correspondent of “The Dally Mail” emphasises that it Is growing clearer daily that Signor Mussolini may be forced by the continued hostility of the League of Nations, to declare that Italy will no longer guarantee the Locarno Pact, thus enabling Germany to claim that the whole treaty has lapsed. The French leader, M. Flandin realises the danger, but is still hopeful that he can manoeuvre to maintain the vital link with London without estranging Rome. He is also apparently optimistic of some early acceptable settlement between Italy and Abyssinia, enabling the speedy re-establishment of the Stresa front. If this is not done, there are many who believe that the next move will be some working agreement between Rome and Berlin. The Rome correspondent of "The Daily Mail” says: “It is officially denied that Italy is negotiating an understanding with Germany, and it cannot be doubted that Italy would prefer to keep the Stresa front in existence if possible. Nevertheless, it is asserted that Italy cannot indefinitely keep up, even the appearance of friendship with the nations doing their utmost to prevent the successful solution of the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia. The Italians consider that they have been betrayed, and this feeling will probably continue to rankle long after the East African campaign has finished. The interruption of Italian trade with England and France has already intensified the commercial relations with Germany, and commercial relations are often the forerunner of close political relations. It is declared that the day may not be far distant when Italy will be obliged to adopt an official policy more in keeping with the realities of the present situation.”