THE SHAME OF THE PEACE TREATY

New Zealand Tablet, 7 April 1921, Page 11

THE SHAME OF THE PEACE TREATY

Nothing more pathetic has reached this country since the World War closed, than, 'the heart-rending stories of misery and want in Austria, with countless thousands of little children as the innocent victims\(writes Father Joseph Kelly, of Detroit, U.S.A., in the fortnightly Review of St. Louis). And what is the reason for the wretched state of these people? The integrity of the Austrian nation has been violated by the Treaty of Versailles. The alienation of the territory belonging to her has left her stranded, little more than a political and business capital, like a head bereft of its body. Moreover, the country is not merely unable to pay the interest on its vast debt, but unable to pay its running expenses. Its currency has been inflated until it is worth only about one per cent, of its face value. Austria is unquestionably in a deplorable plight. The Treaty of Versailles has been the cause of all this. So far as Austria is concerned, it is a monstrous injustice, the work of men blind to facts, the juggling of children with the blocks of other people's destinies. Austria is a standing condemnation and reproach of what was done at Paris. Austria was not only dismembered and ruined, but worse still, a huge indemnity was imposed after taking from the people the power to pay it. - Even the means of living were taken from them. To all appearances,. Austria was rendered impotent, in order that she might become a prey to be divided among the Powers who went into the war "to make the world safe for democracy." What has democracy done for Austria? The people sadly admit, and keenly feel, not what democracy has done for them, but what the so-called democracy of England and her associates Has done to them. Are we not co-responsible for the sad state of these stricken people ? Let. us strike our breasts and admit -our guilt. , ■••...; ,f- : ;;W:.-.-;■-.'■ o :?;,;' u< :^ It was in our power , at Versailles to insist that the reasons that actuated 'us to enter the war, "to make the world safe - for T democracy," be lived": up * to. We lost our

opportunity and let England and her associates have their way. The ...policy that is. now. being followed in unhappy Ireland was the policy of the Peace ; Conference, and the results of that policy are the same in all' countries affected. Democracy and the "rights of small nations" have no place in that policy. Austria stands out as a terrible example. She is ruined, and .her people are almost beyond recovery. What are our.duties to this country P Since a: nation, like a man, does not live unto itself, but is a part of a great vital network of relationships, something will have to be done about Austria.T- As we are responsible for her condition, justice requires that we exert every effort to rehabilitate her. There are several millions of people to reckon with. They are little different from other human beings. They cannot Jive unless they have work and: clothing and shelter and food .and order, and these are impossible if their public life fails to function. Economically it is doubtful whether Austria can survive if left in its present political status, even should temporary help be provided. For the present, money, food, and clothing should be sent from America into the homes of the weak, emaciated, and starving victims of conditions over which they have no control. Then, the government itself should be rehabilitated. The proposed Austrian loan of $250,000,000 is a highly important step towards the accomplishment of this end. Unless both of these things are done, or something equally efficacious, it it is not difficult to foresee what the end of that unhappy country will be. , •;'' ' . •""