The Washington herald., 1920-12-09
A Self1Supporting Austria.

tons seems to be assured The unhappy
state of affairs in Austria has excited pity
throughout the world and as these conditions in
that state have become worse rather than better
since the cessation of hostlities Austria is thought
to deserve whatever benefits may accrue to her by
virtue of her membership in the league.
The first of these benefits will be the opportunity
which she win have to put her before the world
and to plead for ameioration of the conditions
which have prevented her economic recovery and
forced her to be dependent on the benevolence of
other nations to save her population from starva-
ton.
The Austria established by the Peace Conference
cannot produce sufficient foodstuffs for its popula-
ton. 1t is, therefore, dependent on neighboring
countries for the necessities of life which under
more favorable conditions it might obtain in ex-
change for industrial commodities, which normally
il has both the facilities and the personnel to pro-
duce. Her industries are now paralyzed.
Coal and raw materials indispensable to indus
tries must be purchased abroad but the value of the
Austrian crown has so fallen that the purchase of
raw materials is impossible. The rate of exchange
continues to fall During October alone it fell from
500 for the dollar to 400.
The Austrian finance minister has informed the
budget commission that the government stood to
lose IzooGoooyooo crowns in the current year
through the drop in exchange. The total deficit, it
wzs estimated, would amount to 22ooo,ooo,ooo
crowns, against 100000 crowns last year.
In the face of this and handicapped by the paralysis
pf her industries, Austria is required to make heavy
separations to states against whom member of
The Teutonic alliance she made war. n
During the two years that have elapsed since the
armistice it has been decisively proved that the
habilitation of Austria cannot be accomplished
der the conditions which have been imposed. The
situaton this winter will be just as bad or worse
Ia here he e.ahso lute ed of
foodstuffs to the population from starvation.
In a month or so some spokesman for an Euro
pean government, which under the treaty will profit
by Austrian reparations, will announce to the world
the existence of these terrible conditions in Austria
He will assert that humanity dictates that the world
rush to Austria's assistance. He will point out that
beither Great Britain France be expected to
rarry the burden alone, but that something must be
done and at once, and America must help.
1t may be implied that because America has suf-
fered less she is morally obligated to assume the
chief responsibility for relief work This spokes-
man. however, is not likely to suggest the thing
that will give the Austrians a chance to work out
their salvation; namely, complete renunciation
by all concerned of reparations from Austria.
For>two years the government of Austria has
been kept from bankruptcy by government credits
Ind Austrias Children have been saved from starva
hon and disease by American charity. Another
winter IS at hand and Austria IS IN no better posi-
lion to take of herself than last year. If her
children to survive, they must be fed through
international benevolence.
Through the European Relief Council America is
preparing to to it that these children do survive
but to propose to continue this charity indefinitely
in order that reparatons may be collected is vicious
md unthinkablc. Austria must become self-support-
ing if she is to exist, and two years have shown
that this is impossible long she is oppressed
by the burden of reparations she is required to
make.
The whole question of reparations from Austria
must be waived by the beneficiary unless the
people of this country are to become permanently
psuperzed If Austria is to be resigned to this de-
plorabe state the responsibility must rest not with
those whose bcnevolence has postponed this
hmity, but with those who deny Austria what is
most essential for the re-establishment of her
nomic independence