South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-10
THE RUSSIAN COLLAPSE-WEIATH MAY MEAN
the NEWS TIMES Sundays and Every Day So During the Week
lost if not the Most Authoritative Writer the War in America


many by her fear of the Russian menace both
along her Galican frontiers and in the Balkans.
We must not forget that the occasion of the
present war was the rise of the Serbian question
and the Serbian question was only one detail I'm
AuStro- Russian rivalry Serbia was but the sol
der of Russia and since this was true, greatly
enlarged Serbia on the AuStro- Hungarian frontier
along the Danube and the Sare was a deadly
hraat 10 Austria Moreover, the SlavOnic eie-
mentS in Austria. who make up clear majority
OF the population, were held in subsection through
fear of German intervention and eliminated from
political influence, in measure. because il was
recognized that their true Sympathies were with
the Russians and their real desires TO aid in the
overthrow OF Austrian unity and the realization
of Pan-Slav hopes.
But with Russia in ruins Austria has no longer
need of German bayonetS to save her from in
vading Russian armies Not so far. as one can
see into the future is there peril for Austria on
The Russian side. In the same fashion Austrian
SlavS, no longer ObSeSSed with ambitions born of
Russian intrigue, must take a more national pol
icy, they must more and more con6ne their ac-
uVteS 10 Austrian ends, to realizing race auton-
omy within AuStrO-H Hungarian frontiers. And
since they constitute a majority of all the popua-
ton, they are bound, in the end to gain some
thing like complete control. And such a control
will not be used to further German ends. but to
assert Austrian independence and build IN Aus
TRAN strength
Il is well to remember that it is fear not aTec-
uon which has created the central alliance. Aus
ria has been the rival and foe of Prussia for more
than a century and a half Austrian statesmen
and SOVereignS have no desire to become mere
tools OF the HOhenZolemS and Vienna has long
been jealous of the supremacy of Berlin i'm Central
Europe But tor this there was no remedy lust 50
long as Russia was strong and able. as the first
two years OF the war showed to crush Austrian
armies and sweep through Austrian provinces.
Not until the Russian peril was abolished could
Austria have policy independent of Germany
Submission to German policy was the price paid
for the defense of the Carpathians and the liberia
ton of Oalcia.
Yet in all this the Austrian had little but il-con
cealed fear for the future. That Mitteleuropa
which has filled the world with apprehension for
tnree years was prediCated upon the practical if
peaceful conquest of Austria Hungary bv the
Germans Vienna and Budapest were. after all.
but way stations on the Berlin -Bagdad railway
and Vienna, Sofia and ConStantinople were to &C
cupy in the new Mitteeuropa positions suggesting
those occupied by Munich, Dresden and Stuttgart
IN the existing German empire ancient capitals
now RELOCATED to the empty glory of provincial
centerS of administration.
We have seen. already, the beginnings of nm
rest and protest in Austria at the prolongation Of
the war for German purposes, after Austrian ends
had been realized. These are the first signs of the
escape OF Austrian policy from German control
and they are bound to multiply because Austria
has no desire to see Germany expanded Austrian
SlavS are certain to oppose German projects aim
ing at the enSlavement of any portion of the Slav
world and finally the one solid reason for Aus
TRAN alliance with Germany was DESTROYED when
Russia fell. As for italy Austria can now deal
with the italian danger herself; she has the men