The Washington herald., 1921-01-15
good understanding; indeed, with
out that there can be no true pleasantly.
-Cervantes.
A New Kind of Self Determination.

DEPORTS have reached London by way of
TX Berlin that January IS the Austrian
government will retire and hand over the
administration of the country to the Reparations
Commission. Students of government will find in
this new and unique manifestation of the principle
OF sef-determnation.
Even those European statesmen who have been.
largely responsible for providing Austria with the
opportunity to exercise this prerogative should
find at least academic interest in this proposal
WHICH is perhaps the first example in modern times
where theoretically independent state has been
forced by economic conditions to turn over its
government to outside powers
The conditions which have brought about this
proposal have not suddenly developed in the last
few weeks. In fact, if the documents Of the Peace
Conference are ever published it will appear that
experienced Americans appeared before the con-
ference and insisted that 'ths condition would in
evitably follow
Ever since the treaty of ST. German was
signed conditions have been going steadily from
bad to worse. Since July the Austrian section Of
the ReParations Commission has been in session
IN Vienna examining the resources of the country
for the purpose of securing for the allies repara-
tions under the terms Of the treaty. During this
time the value OF the Austrian crown has fallen
from 1873 to hte dollar to 600.
Austrian credit by which supplies Of foodstuffs
been
and the government has been kept going only
through the activity of the printing presses engaged
in turning out money.
During this time, it is generally admitted, the
Austrians have made honest efforts to re-establish
their industries and transportation These efforts
have been encouraged by advice from allied com
missions and hampered by their restrictions
Some two months ago mail and passenger
service by arpane between Munich and Vienna
was established The first two arpanes to arrive
in Munich seized by the Interallied Military
Commission and held for three weeks. Thus ended
that enterprise.
In the former miIitarizcd factories of the
Daimler Works at Wiener Neustadt some 1000
aviation motors have been rusting for the past two
years guarded by Italian soldiers. Recently 500
of these motors broken up and sold as scrap
ironn and similar fate awaits the remaining 500
Many tons Of former military materials which
might be used in the construction of local railroad
materials or machinery for export are said to be
lying unused because the military commission has
not decided what to do with them.
After months Of Investigation the Reparations
Commission has to the conclusion that under
present conditions Austrian resources are not suf-
hcient to enable the country live as a political
entity. 1t has realized that Austria defined by
the treaty cannot exist an independent state.
In spite of the fact that credits already ad-
vanced have not enabled Austria to make any
progress towards rehabilitation, it was decided to
attempt to raise another loan carry Austria over
the present fiscal year That loan has failed and
Austria is on the point of doing the only thing
she can do unless she follows the example of
Armenia and looks to Moscow for the light
This crisis in Austria involves more than alb
stract political considerations. 1t means more than
the passing of a government.
Unless some drastic remedial action is inl-
mediately taken by the allied powers whose policies
have made this situation possible, the dissolution
of the social and economic life of Austria and the
resulting violence, suffering and distress will be
ship.
AN election in Greece was very effective in
creating sentiment in high places for revision of
the treaty of Sevres Will it be necessary for
Austria to sink into Boshevism before similar
sentiment will be aroused for revision of the treaty
Of St. German?