The New York herald., 1921-09-18
VIENNA RECOVERING
FROM HER DESPAIR
Pessimism and Irritability
Disappearing and Self
Confidence Returning.
GENERAL HEALTH BETTER
With Return of Better Times,
City Is witnessing Mar
riage Boom.

Special Correspondence to TIE NEW YORK
HERALD.
VIENNA, Sept. 2.-Generally speak
Ing, the Viennese are now quickly re-
covering from the misery of the latter
part Of the war and the first years
after. or course there are still ex-
ceptions. and the normal state OF
health Is not yet reached. But the
overwhelming majority Of the popu-
lation has been able to buy more and
better food since about a year ago,
and the supply Of the most indi5-
pensable foodstuffs has gradually be-
cOthe satisfactory.
This favorable development, which
Is closely connected with the general
revival Of the agricultural and eco
nomic life In the Southeast OF Europe.
has, although delayed by the political
u00NAo Auu LILO AISCd2 ulLAlGu1I1cS,
shown sufficient force to overcome
all obstacles and has left its mark on
the mentality and physical condition
of tho people. The almost hysterical
irritability and the unbounded pessim-
ism Of last year are disappearing, and
II seems that something like new
Austrian patriotism and the first
signs OF self confidence are making
their appearance.
Starvation at nm End.
In any case, the period OF starvation
Is at an end. and II the slow upward
movement Is not interrupted by a State
or some other violent catas-
trophe one may expect that the spectre
of hunger will be banished for good.
The danger at the present moment Is no
longer the question OF providing sum-
cient foodstuffs. which are offered In In
creasing quantities from the neighbor-
Ing countries, but the constant devalua-
ton of the Austrian crown, which
brought the dollar up to LOGS crowns
at recent exchange, and the consequent
"Russianization Of tho currency and
prices. The Austrian Government seems
to be absolutely helpless and impotent In
fiscal matters and has set all its hopes
on foreign credits, which are constantly
as imminent but do not de-
velop.
Till now the race between the grow
ing prices and the increase OF wages
has taken a fairly regular course. and
Austrian crowns are still accepted as
payment In foreign countries IL offered
In great quantities. But how long this
condition can last without crash Is
very uncertain. Nevertheless. people
are doing comparatively well, and the
rapid recovery OF foreign production and
trade proves that the economic pros
perity of people need not necessarily
depend upon the prosperity OF the State.
Mortality Decreasing.
Tho latest statistics show that the
mortality rate is quickly decreasing. and
II the number of persons permanently
impaired In their health by tho war and
hunger Is taken into account the speed
Of the recovery Is surprising. On COM
pairing the death rates Of tho city during
the last few years 1t Is found that In
1914 II amounted to 33.268: in 1913, to
1.497: In 1919, to 40,932. and in 1920,
TO 34.197. The figures for 1921 show
further decrease. The death rate of
October, 1920, was even below the aver
age death rates in peace times, but then
ono must not forget that the population
Of tho city has diminished by about 200.-
900 Inhabitants.
In comparing tho mortality rate In ITS
relation to births II is found that the ex-
xh> Uynr
used to be very considerable. was turned
into a decrease. which set In in 1915 and
reached its climax In 1918. This alarm
Ing phenomenon also Is slowly disap-
pearinT. Last year the decrease was
below the level Of 1915. and 1t Is ex-
pected that in 1921 there will again be
\ small excess.
Returning 20 Health.
Everything has been done to keep the
as low as could be- Owing to
careful nourishment and nursing and
thanks to the help from abroad, moro
babies could be saved from death In
1920 than even in 1910. The efforts to
save the older children and adults from
premature death were less effective.
5crofula and tuberculosis were for
many years stronger than the phyA-
clans. The climax for tuberculosis was
reached in 1917. Since then there was
4 steady decline and the systematic help
of the foreign countries and their RELIEF
can claim the merit to have
turned the scale. The i'm
orovement OF the economic state OF
workers has done the rest.
According to the statistics Vienna
has now reached the same degree OF
h IA 1fh q r,rayafIcd IN 1a1E the second
year OF war. The pre-war conditions
are not yet attained, and II Is doubtful
whether their return may be expected
soon. as the long underfeeding and the
diffusion OF chronic diseases will mean
/ weakly generation. with a diminished
power of resistance and a reduced power
,f production.
On the other hand. the longevity OF
persons who were caught By the hunger
period in their later years seems TO
have remained on the whole unlnfiu-
enced. Some old people have even
profted IN health by the scanty diet.
Many gastric and other diseases. as for
Instance diabetes disappeared and fat,
apoplectio persons regained their normal
size and health.
With the return OF better times
Vienna IN now witnessing marriage
boom such as was never before recorded.
The pre-war average Of marriages in
Vienna was about $4,000 year. In
1920 II rose to 31,1s(. or nearly double.
and the city fs now confronting the
iifficult problem. how 20 house all these
new couples. As building has been al
most at a complete standstilI during the
asst years and is only very slowly recom-
the rent of nat has become
nearly ps difficult a problcn, os fhe