New-York tribune., 1921-01-22
Austria Faces
General Strike
AS Riots Grow
Thousands of Workers Quit
Jobs; Starving Throngs
Hold ID e onstrations
Against Food Profiteers
Red Activity Increases
Conference of Premiers
Next Week Expected to
. Decide ON Relief Plans
From Tho T4bune's European Bureau


I Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Jan. 21.-The depression
and unrest in Austria are growing
steadily, according to reports received
here. Demonstrations against food
profiteers by starving thousands and
hostile !. clashes in the street which
presage much disorder have added to
the gravity of the situation.
Thousands of workers gave up their
jobs when the government resigned,
feeling that the cause was hopeless,
and it is said that general strike
throughout the country is now immi-
nent. Order has been generally main
tained' in Vienna by the police, but
the temper Of the people there has
becomeemore and more tense. Agita-
ton by some groups of workers for
the establishment of system Of sovi-
cts has not improved the situation.
The Austrian people want chiefly
three things-food, in greater quanti-
ties and at more reasonable prices;
stabilization Of the value of their
money and union with Germany.
The opposition parties show no dis
position to take up the burden laid
down by the retiring government.
Financial Difficulties Grow
The nancial problems are growing
particularly difficult. An American
banker by the name of Whitman, ac-
cording to one report, who had been
trying to liquidate the affairs of an
Austro- Hungarian banking firm in
Vienna, recently threw UP his hands in
disgust over the failure of the Allies
to come to some decision regarding
Austria, and left the country.
The Austrian problem will be one Of
the. first things considered by the Al
lied Premiers when they meet in Paris
next week. 1t is realized that any fur
ther delay may result in the most se-
rious political consequences for all Of
Central Europe. Postponement of all
other pending questions until some
temporary steps for Austria's relief ara
under way is now in prospect.
Sir William Goodies plan for liberal
credits for Austria awaits the approval
Of the Allied premiers, and they are
expected to act favorably. At the Aus
trian Embassy here it is said that the
people who put faith in the reconstruct
ton scheme proposed by the, Repara-
tions Commission are now absolutely
in despair. Belief is expressed by
embassy officials that if England and
France act Immediately the agitation
in Austria for union or alliance with
Germany would probably die out.
Allies to Discuss Relief
Although Aristide BRAND, the new
French Premier, made no mention of
the Austrian problem in his initial ad-
dress in the Chamber Of Deputies, he
has been in touch with the preliminary
conferences of Allied experts in Paris,
who for the last week have been dis
cussing measures to suggest to the
,premiers for the relief of Austria.
Premier Lloyd George and Earl Curzon,
British Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs, are going to Paris Sunday.
Brands speech was most favorably
received here and served to awaken
high hopes that complete cooperation
between Lloyd George and BRAND can
be achieved next week at their con-
ferences. They have several impor-
tant problems to discuss besides Aus
ration payments, the Near East and
Russia.
The collapse of the Persian govern
ment and the practically complete con-
troll over that country obtained by the
Bolsheviki may result in bringing
France and Great Britain into align
ment on the Near East question. On
Russia France expects to take a purely
defensive stand, it is said, in which
case there would be no clash between
the British and French points of view.
Since Krassin's departure for Moscow
negotiations between the Soviets and
Great Britain for a resumption of trade
relations have been at standstill and
seem to have come to definite end.