New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-15
Two Kinds Of Austrian Aliens

the discrimination NiiANi ONi SN'~
ment expects TO make in its treatment OF
enemy aliens, between subjects OF Ter
many and subjects Of Austria-Hungary'
rests on a basis of historical fact. The
two Central Empires differ in constitu-
tons. in construction and in spirit. lhey
differ especially in the matter of solidarity
The German Empire is a closely KNIT
structure. now nearly homogeneous in
character, dominated by the centrallzng
power of Prussia. The Dual Monarchy Is
loose aggregation of states and races
dominated by two minorties which are
dissimilar in stock and language and are
sundered by antagonisms which years OF
surface political association have failed to
overcome.
Germany has the strength which comes
from aggressive unity. Austria-Hungary
is an inert mass, held together by habit
and tradition-and against the will Of the
numerous elements which are kept in sub
lection by the two controlling partners. In
Germany there is an intense spirit of ma
tionalism. In Austria-Hungary there IS
no such spirit The German population OF
Austria tyrannizes over the Czechs of Bo-
hemia and Moravia, the Poles and
Ruthenians of Galicia, the Rumanians OF
the Bukowina, the Italians of Trentlno
and Istria and the Slavs of the Adnatic
provinces. The Hungarians trample down
the Rumanians of Pennsylvania and the
Slavonians of the Jugo-Slav portions of
the kingdom Austria and Hungary to-
gether rule with an iron hand over Bosnia
and Herzegovina.
The oppressed subject races of the Dual
Monarchy have contributed the largest
share Of immigration from Austrla-Hun-
gary to the United States. Few immi-
grants of German stock have drifted here,
and it is noteworthy that many of The
Hungarians who have come across the seas
are not overburdened with loyalty to their
native land. We face, therefore, the sim
gular Situation of having among us as
nominal enemy aliens" great number OF
Austro- Hungarians who are at odds with
their own government, and whose sympa-
thies have been from the beginning with
the Allies and against the Central coall-
ton. Tens Of thousands of Austrian and
Hungarian Slavs are at work in cur mines
and munitions works. A few Of them might
be drawn into enemy plots. But the vast
majority are apparently content to live
here peaceably and to forget an allegiance
which has never meant anything to be
proud of or enthusiastic about. Certainly
the Bohemian Slavs here are a unit in
wishing German defeat and seeking the
dismemberment of the unwieldy Austro-
Hungarian empire.
1t was necessary to declare war on Aus
tria- Hungary because of her practical con-
version into a minor German state. There
are Austrians of German lineage here who
are possibly as bitter and dangerous
enemies as any of their German kin.
Austria Hungarys official representa-
tives in this country before the war
were certainly no whit behind Won Papen
and Boyd in plotting sabotage and in
cendiarism. Enemies of that sort remain
and must be dealt with on the same basis
as the treacherous Germans. They may
become obnoxious enough to compel gen
eral registration and surveillance, such as
the Germans are now subjected TO. Yet it
will be practicable, no doubt, TO impose
such restrictions first of all on the German
Austrians and next on HungarianS proper,
while continuing to treat the subject races
Of the Dual Monarchy with the tolerance
which their attitude toward the war so far
has earned.
That is not to say that our general
policy of dealing with enemy aliens should
not be made vigilant. We are just begin
ming TO treat the German enemy alien with
the rigor which his vindictiveness has JUS
tilted. The German cannot be trusted or
safely truckled to. He recognizes no law
but force. And the Austrian or Hungarian
with German sympathies may have to be
put soon in the same class. Gradually,
therefore, we should see a sitting of the
elements which owe allegiance TO Emperor
Charles-separating those who are still
willing to do the bidding of an enemy gov
eminent from those who, having suffered
oppression under that government, are as
anxious as we are 10 destroy and defeat it.
A Point of Honor
curious case came up before the Brit