Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-06
Attitude Toward
War Different in
Dual Monarchy

Correspondence OF The associated Press)
Berne, Switzerland, July 25.-
Americans who have recently travelled
through Austria Hungary say they
have been much impressed with the
difference i'll the attitude of Tire peo-
pie in the two countries towards the
war. In Austria life goes on very
much as usual, and the general public
apparently pay little attention to the
progress of the campaigns. In Hun
gary, on the Other hand, everybody
seems keenly interested; far more
people are seen reading the news
papers, and the war-bulletins are
eagerly scanned and discussed.
Except in the country between
Innsbruck and the Swiss frontier
north OF the Italian war-zone, railway
travelling is not difficult in Austria
But there all the express trains have
been taken off and passengers are
closely scrutinized Persons leaving
Austria, natives as we'll as neutrals,
are held up on the Swiss frontier for
period varying from a week to
twenty days, and compelled to pay
their own hotel expenses. The object
OF this measure presumably is that
they should not bring out any fresh
news OF what is going on. Austrians
and Hungarlans are specially directed
not to give any information regarding
affairs i'll the monarchy and warned
that il they are found to have done
So they will be severely punished
when they came back,
With the help Of women and chill
dren the work on the land seems to
be carried on pretty well, and every
bit OF ground is carefully cultivated.
But the industrial situation is less
favorable, Except in those factories
engaged i'll making munitions trade
seems bad.
Foreigners are amazed to see how
few newspapers the VienneSe read,
and they buy still less, preferring
TO read them in the cafes. Papers
are not allowed to be sold in the
streets. but only by tobacconists and
news agents and it is said that fewer
papers are sold in Vienna, proper
tionately to the population, than in
any other capital in Europe
The Niennese are as friendly as
ever to foreigners. The police do
not trouble them and it is not even
necessary to produce passport for
short visit Many French citizens
| have remained in Vienna and can
talk in their own language on the
streets unmolested, The Nienesse
show no great hatred for any OF their
enemies except the Italians, against
whom they are fearfully bitter.
In Budapest the war seems much
more in evidence. There are more
military trains carrying troops against
the Russians and large numbers Of
German soldiers are going down to
the Orient. Then there are great
consignments OF grain and petroleum
and other products passing through
Hungary from Roumana to Ger
many
This last is very significant indi-
cation OF the new political and
economic developments going on be-
tween the central powers and the
Balkans. The war has brought these
countries much closer together, hav-
ing shown Germany and Austria
Hungary how absolutely essential it
is to maintain open communication
through the Balkans with Turkey
and the near east Important con
ierences have been held lately in
Budapest, Vienna, Munich and other
German cities, with regard to i'm
proving and developing the Danube
navigation and constructing canal
communications between that river
and the principal rivers in Germany.
But while participating in these
meetings, both Austria and Hungary
are secretly concerned at Germany S
intense interest in the subject, dread
ing to see her commercial activities
in the Balkans strengthened by such
improved communications. In bus.
mess competition the Austrians and
Hungarians are no match for the
Germans, who have in recent years
greatly extended their trade with
the Balkan countries. which was for
merry largely in the hands of the
merchants OF Vienna and Budapest
~ paid A, 20