New-York tribune., 1921-09-05
Austria's Plight
Called Pitifu1
By Untermyer
Poverty, Misery and De-
spair of Middle Classes
Beyond Description, Says
New Yorker After Trip
Suggests Private Aid
Believes $3.50, 600, 600 Loan
Could Be Obtained if
Reparatio1as Are Delayed

PARIS, Sept. A (By The Associated
Press) Samuel Untermyer, of New
York. who has been having conferences
with Chancellor W:rti, at Berlin and
with Count Apponyi Of Hungary and
other leading represe natives OF Aus
tra, Hungary and Czecho-Slovakia, at
Carlsbad, has arrived in Paris. he
preferred not to discuss the subject OF
his meetings, when seen to-day, but
smoke freely upon conditions in Austria.
"The situation in Austria is pitiful
beyond words" said Mr.. Untermyer.
ITO those familiar with proud and cul-
tured Vienna in its prosperous days 1t
seems like city of the dead UNDER
meath the surface. The poverty, misery
and despair of the middle classes are
beyond description; the masses can
barely exist-their money buys almost
nothing. Only the most fortunate get
meat once q week.
Nothing to Sell or Buy
"The people are poorly clad and un-
derfed. Even in the summer there is
not sufficient coal for ordinary house
hold purposes at any price. Inc au-
thorities have had to prohibit the use
of hot water in the hotels and resi-
dences, except for a few hours IN the
morning, and entirely on Sunday. No
fresh milk or eggs can be obtained, and
the bread is of the poorest quality. 1t
is impossible to obtain fuel and raw
materials. for the factories. So there
is nothing to sell and nothing can be
bought. Buildings are deteriorating.
Labor is inefficient from undernutri-
tor and farms are neglected from
wart of machinery and fertilizer.
"There are just three alternatives
for Austria-one, that she be permitted
to join Germany; two, that the Allies
lend her money for the purchase Of
fuel and raw materials to start her
industries, and, three, that money for
these purposes be found through pri-
vate channels.
Hope in Outside Help
"The unyielding opposition of France
and the division Of sentiment in Aus
tria renders the first alternative i'm
possible. The second, unfortunately
| is out of the question. The Allies are
not financially able to help, even if they
were disposed to do so, as most of them
are unable to finance themselves. The
third alternative, however, presents
the germ of a practical program.
''If the Allies will subordinate their
reparation claims and the United
States its claim for relief advances
which / believe will amount to about
$22,000,o0o, Austria should be able te
obtain a loan of S250,ooO,0O0 from pri-
vate sources, payable to her at the
rate of $50,00o,000 yearly, upon secur-
lty OF her customs receipts, tobacco
monopoly and other resources deriv-
able from external sources.
This would constitute revolving
fund for advances to her home indus
tries, SO that it would have the
effect Of financing purchases to many
times the amount OF the loan There
is every business reason why this
should be done, apart from the ques-
| tlon of sentiment Austria's eminent
Finance Minister, DR.. Grimm, and his
able adviser, DR.. Rosenberg, have al
ready secured the support Of the .prin-
! cipal allies to this plan and are about