The New York herald., 1921-01-12
Position Long Desperate.

That the position of Austria was most
desperate has been shown frequently In
special dispatches to THE NEW YORK
HERALD from its Vienna correspondent
during the last several months. These
dispatches have told in graphic terms
how Vienna, once the most light hearted
capital in the world, had become dying
city. and how the one time wealthy in
habitants there now stood cold and
poorly clothed in long queues awaiting
the States doles to the destitute or In
line before relief kitchen where bowls
of soup were handed out.
Austria became a republic under the
burden of a terrific debt. which in
cluded about $4,000, 0Oo.000 kronen al
lotted from the old morarchy's debt and
about 10, ,O00. 900, 900 kronen incurred be-
tween the creation of the republic and
July, 1912. Since then debt has piled
up on her, her money became more anu
more deprecated and her appeals for
aid more frequent and urgent. Special
dispatches to THE New YORK HERALD
from Vienna last month quoted Govern
,nent officials as saying that Austria
could not last out longer than February
or March. at least, unless American or
alilcu alu were klstN neis N ucSPoeSh
from Vienna last Saturday said that
hunger and cold there were responsible
for an average of fifteen suicides a day.
Loan Was Not Approved.
A special Paris despatch printed in THE
NEW YoRK HERALD on January de-
scribed Austria's plight as desperate In
the extreme and blamed the situation on
the failure of prompt action on the
recommendations of the Austrian section
OF the Reparations Commission for
500. 100000 loan 10 avert utter famine
when the relief supplies provided by the
american Congressional appropriation
became exhausted. That despatch stated
that these supplies would be exhausted
by January Is. when the Government in
Vienna would no longer be able to feed
its people. Minimum advances neces-
sary were placed at $3.50, 100000.
Austria, this despatch said. was un-
derstood 20 be ready to accept inter-
allied control, TO extend valuable con-
cessions and to agree to diminish her ex-
pendtures In return for loan.
Advances made to Austria since the
armistice include s25. 100000 in cash
AIDU llle StdltSs SGptVVVtVOV
Great Britain and a like sum from Hol-
land. Denmark and switzerland. This
- exclusive of S4s,00o.000 In foodstuffs
bought In the United States last year and
charged to England. France and Italy in
equal proportions.
The Austrian deficit in 1920 exceeded
$4,000. 100000 kronen. Her total in
debtedness UP to last November was esti-
mated at about $4,000, 000, 900 kronen.
The note circulation Increased fourfold
between April and December. The
kronen was quoted yesterday at twenty
three one-hundredths OF a cent
Tragedy Is Forecast.
THE NEW YoRK HERALD OF December
20 printed a special cable despatch from
Vienna which contained a graphic de-
scrlption of what the people there are
facing this winter Famine stricken
Vienna Is stolidly awaiting Its DOOM"
y said. THE markets are
closed. The frontiers OF Austria are
prison walls. within which two and a
quarter million people live In darkness.
suffering from cold and hunger. virtu-
ally the only relief Is supplied by the
American Children's Kitchens. which
gre financed TO feed 107 900 daily"
Austria's plight threatens 10 become n
European tragedy ana raises tho possi-
bility OF grave disorders and political
disturbances. while daily the movement
FOR attachment to Germany grows
stronger.
Burdened with debt. her industry mar
alyzed and her commerce ruined. Austria
began this winter face TO face with uin
and In the most desperate plight OF any
country in tho world. With n pom.la-
tion OF only 100000 people, her note
circulation was estimated at about
$4,000 900. 900 kronen. while the printng
presses of the Austro-Hungnrian Bau.s
IN Vienna were said to be turning out
100000 kronen an hour In new paper
money.
The Austrian section of tho Repara-
tions Commission. which is headed b.
Sir William Goode. formerly a news.
paper man In London. has done what It
could to help the Austrian people ami
the Government in Vienna out OF their
difficulties, and Goode has made several
appeals for worldwide assistance. Wi.a
: sense of humor quite in contrast win
their plight an Austrian official on a
GoNfsnurd TA.~I D~n~