The Washington herald., 1921-11-06

Will do more FOR the peace of Europe
than any kind Of league Of nations
that Is at present possible. And
Franco German collaboration does
not mean that England need be
isolated; for England In her turn
will be free to conclude a practical
agreement with Germany, while re-
naming the faithful friend Of
France"
Among the new statesmen who
have become prominent in Euro
pean affairs since the war. none
has won a higher reputation for
achievement and vision than DIR.
Edward Benes, who has been min
lister of foreign affairs of the
Czecho-Slovake Republic since its
establishment and who has recent
Iy assumed the duties of prime min
lister of a new ministry in which he
retains the portfolio of foreign af-
fairs. The London Sunday Times
publishes this sketch of the Czech
leaders career:
'Dr. Benes may be regarded as a
discovery OF President (then pro-
fessor) Masaryk, who singled him
out among the students of Prague
University, instructed him in phi
losophy, and induced him to pursue
his studies in France.
Leaving Dion with the degree OF
doctor of laws, he became a lectur-
er at his old university, and In 1914
1915 we md him an ardent member
Of the MaffIa,' a secret society
formed with the object of securing
Czecho-Slovak independence. Hav-
ing decided that he could best serve
the national cause abroad, he es-
capped into Bavaria, crossed into
Switzerland and Joined Masaryk in
Paris. where, in 1916, the Czecho-
Slovak National Council was form
ed with Benes as secretary. Among
his other activities in the interests
Of the entente, he arranged the con-
gress OF oppressed nationalities at
Rome, which meeting provoked the
disrupt on of the Hapsburg mon
archy from within, and after the
establishment of the Czecho-Slovak
in October. 1918, he became
the first minister of foreign affairs,
led the national delegation at the
peace conference, and secured for
his country the conditions essential
to It's existence.
Such, in brief, Is the career of
the prime minister Of Czecho-Slova-
kia. Personally, he is of medium
height, active to the finger-tips, a
far-seeing statesman, and a charm
ing host, equally at home at his
desk or on the platform, inspired
always with a burning enthusiasm
for his ideals, be they national or
international-a man thoroughly
unspoled by success
DIR. Benes il the central figure
in the new development in Czecho-
Slovak politics which has been oc-
casioned during the past few days
by the substitution Of a political for
an administrative cabinet. Hence
forth the ministry, hitherto a bust
ness cabinet. will depend upon par
liamentary suffrage for its EXIST
ence. There are no less than fifteen
parties in Czecho-Slovakia, all of
them. except the German bourgeois
and the Clericals, with Socialism
writ large on their banners. The
premier has succeeded n forming a
coalition of all the Czech and Slo-
yak parties, with the exception OF
the Matchmaking Communists, and
Is thereby assured Of a working
majority. The opposition will con-
sist of the Germans. Magyars and
Communists. The head of the gov
eminent, who is not a party man in
the real sense OF the WORD, acknowI-
edges nominal allegiance to the
Czecho Social Democrats"
Austria's Financial Troubles.
For several months the hope has
been held out in Austria that the ma
tons having claims against her
would extend the time OF payment
to enable her to secure credits I'M
der the Ter Meulen scheme. All
the nations which hold claims
against Austria. with the exception
of the United States, have signIled
their willingness to grant the neces-
sary extension. As the result Of our
failure to take similar action, the
Impression Is very generally held
throughout Austria that the United
States Is responsible for the ex-
tremely difficult financial situation
In which the Austrian government
now Is. The feeling of the Austrian
people towards the United States be-
cause of this situation is illustrated
by an open letter to Mr.. Arthur
Hugh Frazier, the American h .gh
commissioner. which was published
in the Neues Wiener Journal on Oc-
tober 6.
After reviewing the situation as
1t exists, the causes which led I'D
to 1t and the repeated promises of
relief from the allies, the writer re-
fers to the position Of the United
States In these words: Suspension
of general mortgage claims is to-
day the watchword of European
policy as well as of Austrian finance
policy. 1t is remarkable that those
states were quickest to resign their
claims which are geographically
near Austria and which during the
terrors OF the world war actually
stood face to face with the Austrian
army. The United States, whose
hostility against Austria was only
a diplomatic form and which ia sen
arated from Austria by the ocean.
hesitates most. One must search
for reasons for this attitude. The
United States has nothing to expect
from Austria's destruction. On the
contrary, Central European compli-
cations, which could never take
place without being felt through
out Europe, would only help to IN
tensify the industrial crisis in
America and to ALLEVIATE German
buyers from American industry. The
United States has hitherto during
the postwar period given proof of
magnanimous readiness for relief.
1t did not economize when II came
to save Austrian children from