Evening star., 1920-12-19


world war-AuStria and
u Bulgaria are to come
- within the league of ma
lions. Not only political aims of the
larger of European allies have been
; furthered, but economic restoration
is enhanced by the action of the as
sembly in Geneva. Though these rea-
sons may have dominated the states
men of the world assembled there, it
ting both Austria and Bulgaria at
the moment much has been done to
remove potential European trouble
zones from the Immediate horizon.
The admittance of Austria and Bull
garia at the moment renders it in
finitely easier for these powers to re-
sumo relations with former enemies
and in measure removes many of the
stumbling blocks in the way of early
revival of social, economic and politi-
cal life.
Austria Always Favored.
There never has been much ques-
tion as to the early admittance of
Austria into the league of nations.
Even in France there has been a
tendency to forgive the Austrian
peoples for the part they played in
the war. This spirit has been even
more manifest in Italy, the chief
sufferer from Austrian aggression.
For in Austria was a helpless people
In the grip of an unscrupulous and
senile man, Francis Joseph, who in
turn was completely dominated by
the kaiser in Berlin.
Even in the Paris peace conference,
when passions were not yet abated,
there was a tendency to favor Austria
and regret was expressed that this
point where its very life was at stake.
But in the interests of general Euro
pean safety and for the perpetuation
of the principle of self-determination
of peoples. the hewing went on.
Austria was left but a skeleton of
fits former self territorially. Its army
was cut to a point where it could
serve efficiently only as a civil force
The peoples of Austria themselves
were plunged into two years of most
terrible suffering. Private means
were swept away. The aff1uent be-
came beggars and beggars have
starved to death. Never in the his
greater suffering spiritually. mentally
and physically than Austria has been
forced to endure since the armistice,
for the hopelessness of these people
with territories lost and business dis
rupted and almost unbearable debt
LCdRc0 QpOA lICui has AASPiICu OlllcE-
est enemies to pity. Austria's con-
flftion still remains terrible. But
with proper show of national spirit
founded upon due encouragement
from allied powers. it is believed the
situation is not beyond repair and
that ont of chaos will come order and
out of order will spring hope in the
future. With Austria in the league
and making show of abiding by
allied peace terms. 1t upquestion-
ably is true that the allies will show
less and less spirit of vindictiveness
and mitigate in large measure the
burdens which they have thrust upon
her. Austria's admittance to the
league undoubtedly will mean greater
business, greater commerce. coupled
with greater inspiration to do, and the
last is most important. for everything
else hinges upon the revival of
Austria's desire to live as other Euro
pean nations would have her live.
Bulgaria Is Needed.
Bulgaria is needed to preserve COM
yletely the balance Of power. in the
known as the stormy petrel of the
Balkans since Russia in the war OF |
1873 freed these peoples from the |
Turks But Bulgaria's course in the !
by short-sighted monarchical policy
which has considered only monarch
ical interests and not at an times
the best interests of Bulgaria's peo-
ples- Today the situation issfar diff
ferent Though Ferdinand, as king.
accomplished much in the way of
commercial, educational and spiritual
advance in Bulgaria, he nevertheless
was too closely connected with Ger !
man Influences and, as a consequence.
became manikin for Berlin. Bull
garia. heart sore, disappointed and
weary of war, ousted Ferdi nand and
seated Boris. his son. But Boris is a
mere figurehead in Bulgaria today,
the peasant government under Stam-
bouhsky being the chief voice of the
people. -.--zss
The Bulgarian peasant statesman
has been crude but in his honestyo Of
endeavor to throw on consequences
Of war and restore Bulgaria's eco
nomic and financial influence, the
peasants have shown extremely great