Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-09-12
AUSTRIA SIGNS THE TREATY

There has never been any question as to whether or
not Austria would sign the peace treaty any more than
there ever was a real question rs to whether or not Ger
many would sign. The existing government in each eoun-
try naada thu best stand that iteould and dared for nodi-
ficattons which would be to it's advantage. Certain very
slight changes we're made. but In neither case was there
any material departure from the original terms Of the
treaty Is prepared by the peacs conference.
There was. however, a marked difference in attitude
between the two countries. The attitude Of the German
delegation was suriy AID rebel,ous. The treaty was
signed, but With bad grace. In the attitude Of tho Aus
TRAN delegation nothing Of this was to be noticed. Nat
urauy II was not q pleasant task and nobody expected
them TO BE- enthusiastic over it. but the Austrians had the
good sense to make the best Of what was to them a bad
situation. and the impression which they have created is
a very much more favorable one than that created by the
German ENJOYS. A part of this may be due to the obser-
vations of the German attitude by the Austriaps- The
Germans had to act first aad the Austrians have had the
advantage Of being able to study tho Germans demeanor
and Ito effects. but In addition to this there must have
peen some tsmperanaental differences. otherwise tho shan
would have been easy to detect.
Austria. whose assault on Serbia was the actual be-
ginning of the war. was at that time a great nation oc-
cupyinE q very important position in the COUNCILS of the
world. AS the result Of her own folly she has been d.
vtded until the Austrian nation Of today is but a trag-
mant of the original, and it can never occupy a position
- so e~~~ ~oO" "a pAt VI Liz AAIo . = OSII1
is due. Of course. to the peculiarly Of her organization.
The tsrritory formerly under the control Of the reisning
house OF Austria Hungary was occupied by several groups
of people Of different races and traditions which were
held under the RULE OF the Vienna government by military
force. Even the compact between the two major groups,
the Austria proper and the Aasyars. was very uusatseac-
tory to the latter. and there has always been a strong
feeling in Hungary against the union Of the two countries.
Te tho north and the south there were various groups Of
Slavic races who have nov been permitted to st up gov
ernnacnts Of their own. Hungary has seeded: Austrian
Poland has boon restored to the new Polish republic:
around the old kingdom Of Bohemia has been created a
new nation whose people are alike in language and tra-
dttnns. and another new nation has been formed near the
ahores OF the Adriatic. All that remains Of the former
empire 10 What u Known a. Austria proper. and there the
throne occupied for centuries by one Of the proudest fam
lies OF Europe has bseE overthrow and in place of the
former autocradc government q republic has been set up.
BY her own act Austria has brought upon hersal1 many
voubleA but II hr pAepls have the element of democracy
within them they may yet create = nation which will ba
In = petition to parocipats in its progress. \ !