Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-09-18
AUSTRIA AND GERMANY

fhe treaty. which the allies forced on Germany.
It is our opinion that after the fears of Europe
aroused by the war have been allayed by the
passage of time both these treaties will be
amended in some respects. It is highly probable
that the cash indemnities provided for in the
Austrian treaty will be greatly modified as the
fact becomes apparent that Austria can never
pay them It is not only that Austrian finances
are in a hopeless condition now, but the fact is
forcing itself on public attention that by reason
of the loss of it's territory containing most Of its
natural resources, there is little hope that In
the future Austria will be able to improve its
present bankrupt condition. We read that
everyone who has Austrian money is anxious to
change it into some form of property that has
real value, and that forces prices up and money
values down still more
Another feature in the Austrian treaty that
has it's counterpart in the German treaty IS the
prohibition against any union between Germany
and Austria That provision is solely due to
fear on the part of the allies that Germany may
grow strong again in a military way and force
another war on the world. If it were not for
that fear most anyone would concede that the
union of what is left of Austria is the national
and desirable thing. The people are OF the same
race and speak the same language and they need
each other and would prosper better together
than apart. The new Austria has no seaport, no
coal no raw materials to keep it's population
busy Germany has these things. Both would
like to become Incorporated in political union
for GOOD economic reasons as we'll as racial
reasons Moreover the union Of Austria with
Germany as state in the German federation
would tend to balance the predominant power Of
Prussia in the federation. The New York World
thus sets forth the union Of Austria with Ger
many: "Whatever may be thought of the Aus
trian peace terms in general, the policy OF tor
bidding the new nation to unite with Germany
is as unwise as it is morally indefenslble.
fraction of its former dimensions, without sea-
port and lacking even contact with its old part
ner, Hungary, Austria must seek ASSOCIATION
with stronger powers. The only question is
whether her relations shall be open or secret.
All the advantages to Europe and the peace OF
the world are on the side of open union. All the
dangers are on the side of secret understand
ings Tn union with Germany the Austrlans
would be- with Saxony Bavaria Wurttemberg
and the smaller states, strong and sane balance
against the undue power Of Prusslanlsm with
Austria left out Prussia will be almost as pre-
dominant in Germany as before; IN any war
fomented by her, such as her militarlsts at least
still dream Of the Austrians would be all the
more likely to join if smartlng from the feeling
that free choice of nationality had been denied
them But it is not necessary to conjure up
gloomy possibilities for the future. Present
reasons for fairness enough. The Austrlans
need trade outlets if they are to survive the
danger Of anarchy They are as much entitled
to self-determination as the other fragments Of
the dual monarchy. They should be left to
choose their destiny for themselves under the
league of nations"
No question is ever settled until 1T IS settled
right. All history teaches us that fact and we
expect to live to see the day when Austria and
Germany will be united if the people in both
countries continue to desire such union as they
do at present. For ourselves we are OF the belief
that such union would not be any threat against
the peace of the world while any part of the
present generation is living. The consequences
Of this world war have been 50 disastrous to
Germany and Austria that it will be a long time
before the will to fight can be revived even if
the power to fight could be secured by them.
And even the power to fight is a long way off.
It takes money as well as men to fight modern
wars with any chance Of success, and it will be
a century before the vast destruction of wealth
in Europe caused by this war can be repaired.
Even the victors could not finance new war if
they had the will to fight. Much less can the
vanquished do it. There may be little wars.
There will doubtless be lot of them if the