The Washington herald., 1922-01-01

ment believes the mortgaging of
art treasures or even the loss of
them, is preferable to a disruption
OF the state. The condition of
Austria today doubtless leads her
government to the view that such
disruption is not beyond the bounds
of possibility. Austria has been
very carefully watched by the
great powers. and while something
has been done for her and much
more has been proposed. 1t may be
said that the process employed has
Leon principally watching. In this
case. the watched pot" is nearly
boiling. Several weeks ago there
were damaging food riots in Vienna
in which considerable looting and
destruction occurred.
Revolution Forecast.
II has been reported that COM
munists have decided upon January
IS the date for a Red revolution
in Vienna. The cancellation Of the
food u b j Il y-an economically
sound messure-has. of course. re-
suited in higher prices. which have
added !" the discomfort The mca-
surcs designed 10y the league or
TItiOnS to alleviate the hara crndi-
ton of Austria have not been put
IL effect These called Tor Il large
Joan to have been made for the
purpose of tidinE Austria over n, 7
period Of trial and probation, the
proceeds of the loan to he applied
principally for the purchase of Paw
materials for manufacture. Al
though the source from which this
money might be obtained has never
IpHn HnfInifR1N- lat
fore, the loan cannot lie said to
have ever been entirely assured, IT
is reported that the delay in the
loan is due to the fact that the
United States has not agreed TO
subordinate to this loan her claim
for payment of credits advanced
for relief. This view is taken by
Nir. Fanderlip. who recently re-
turned from Europe. Indeed. ne
states that the riots in Vienna are
due to Americas action, or lack Of
action. 1t is reported that Eng
land has advanced. in anticipation
of larger loan, some 100000
pounds, but that France. which was
to advance a similar amount, has
thus far failed to do so.
The cost of living in Austria.
reckOned in crowns. has amounted
prodigiously, due primarily to the
enormous imitation of the paper
currency. On November Is the
Austro- Hungarian Bank showed a
paper circulation of 100000. 600, 900
crowns. The internal purchasing
power of this money is still very
much greater than it is, externally,
but this does not greatly benefit
the Austrian people, whose real in
come in necessaries of life is much
below that required for a decent
STANDARD of living.
4 Now small Nation.
There can be no question that
Austria is in a. difficult plight and
that her situation demands and o.
serves remedial action. The pres
cnt Austria is governed by men
not stained by war-guilt. This
country. now a small one of about
100000 people. could be and should
he a useful and agreeable member
of the family OF nations, a producer
of valuable products, a center of
art and education. But to realize
such a condition, this struggling
nation must be carried through the
very trying period in when II now
finds itself. 1t does not seem A very
view, to pull AUAria out of her
troubles. Her relations with the
Successor States and with Italy are
greatly improved; economic bar
riers are being eliminated: unem-
ployment is decreasing: the recent
action of the government in reso-
1utely tackling such a problem as
the food subsidy, Is encouraging.
Yet. IL would seem that some ex-
traneous, artificial assistance must
be had for Austria il she is not to
undergo q needlessly prolonged Pc
riod of readjustment, entailing
hardships and sufferings which
would not be necessary IL an en-
lightened policy is pursued. The
plight Of Austria is a powerful
summons to world economic con-
ference