South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-18

Gaunt famine strides through
Austria. crushing innocent women
and babies and threatening the en-
ire nation with annihilation. one OF
he greatest catastrOphes in history
IS imminent and can only be averted
through prompt aid of Austria's
erstwhile enemies.
This was the word picture painted
today oy Cardinal Pif1. arch
bishop Of Vienna. ia describing CON
siitons in his country. In an unim-
passiOned manner he told of the
suffering and hopeIessness which
war had brought upon Austria,
once the most powerful nation in
The world and now only an obscure
state. politically and economically
at the mercy OF the allies.
Union l. Imperative.
The cardinal made no effort 70
gloss over the fact he believed the
peace terms imposed upon Austria
were largely responsible for her
present condition. An economic
union with Germany, he said. was
imperative if Austria continued as
an independent state.
While our economic situation is
desperate. as a nation we are crush
ed forever" Cardinal Piffl said
Under the treaty Austria cannot
live. The enormous injustice done
my people Will fill many a page in
history and one day il viii be writ
ten.
First OF all, the compners of the
Hr-a ~ ID III sV,4-
in depriving a nation OF 100000
inhabitants OF the means Of living
As constituted at present, Austria
can produce only enough TO feed it's
population for three months. The
mines left US do not even furnish
sufficient coal to heat our homes liz
the coolest months OF the year
Every house in Vienna Is now a
house of sorrow in which you will
find dishearJened women suffering
from cold and hunger and emaciated
babies dying a slow but certain
death from lack of nourishment
The older children are dying a slow
er but less painful death. I speak
for these innOcents. They must be
saved.
Middle Classes Suffer.
Next in point OF suffering are
the middle classes. The new order
and changed economic changes have
deprived thousands and thousands
OF families Of the chance Of making
"a decent living. They have been re-
duced TO eking out a precariOus ex-
istence in any manner that may pre-
sent itself and most OF them have
been compelled TO burn their furni-
ture 10 heat their homes and cook
the little food they have.
"Our coal mines have been given
10 CseCho-Siovakia; our land 10
Serbia and Hungary. without con
sidering that this meant paralyza- I
tion of Austria's industries and star
Walton Of her population. An econo- /
mic union with Germany is impera- /
tive il Austria lives as an indepen- |
dent state"
Asked what immediate steps ne |
would suggest TO relieve the situa- |
lion. the cardinal replied:
The combined effort of the whole I
world is necessary. The country is /
completely empty of food. The lit /
tie that is available is sold at fabu- /
lous prices. A thousand wealthy /
families have emigrated to nearby I
countries. sacrificing the larger part I
Of their fortunes. 1 have the great !
est confidence in the generosity of I
the American people When I saw
the allies failed 20 act. I suggested (.
sending several delegations TO the 4
United States 10 explain our situa- I
tion end raise funds. Several DAYS
ago I wrote 10 Cardinal Gibbons f.
requesting him 20 ask Pres't Wilson /
TO facilitate the work OF these dele 4
cations. which are now enroute- Our I
only hope now Is America"