Evening star., 1924-06-15

pOtlSm, has been saved from
reVersion to monarchy or
an alternate convulsion to bolshevism
by the sanity of her middle classes.
In giving this opinion, DR.. Ignazt
Seipel, chancellor of Austria, disclosed
not only his own creed of living. but
the policy used in steering his fragile
ship of state through the stormy wa
ters of reconstruction.
Himself a middle-class man. Chan
cellor Seipel, more than any other
individual in Austria, is responsible
for the miraculous recovery of that
republic. Yet no national leader in
Europe is more modest and receives
less popular recognition than this
Chancellor-priest of Austria.
In 1921, after three years of misery
ana starvation, during which the
powers had given nothing more tan
gible than kind words toward helping
Austria out Of her terrible predica-
ment, DIR. Seipel decided that his coun-
try could not live on promises. He had
spent months in Geneva, Paris and
London, begging for a loan or for the
abolition of the customs barriers
which throttled Austrian trade. Now
he quit begging and started on a
series of secret visits to the capitals
of Central Europe.
First he went to Berlin Imme-
diately France was agog. Did this
mean union between Austria and Ger
many?
Seipel said nothing, but went on to
Rome. In turn, Czechoslovakia was
in furor. The press talked of an
Austro-ltalian alliance against
Czechoslovakia and inevitable war.
Still Seipel kept quiet and contin-
ued his mysterious visits, this time
to Prague. Immediately Italy began
to clamor about the danger of an
Austrian-Czech alliance, and massed
her troops upon the TyroIean border
Czech troops concentrated on the
north.
Played Cards Well.
Seipei played his cards well. When
he had finished it was apparent that
Austria could not ally herself with
any nation. To do so would unset
the balance of power and bring war
to Europe. Obviously also, if Austria
was not given aid, she would form an
alliance with any one, regardless of
the dire results.
AT this critical moment Dr. Benes
of Czechoslovakia announced. I'VE
must save Austria. but we must all
save Austria" Thereupon. the league
of nations launched an international
loan. and Austria was saved. But had
it not been for the poker" diplomacy
n n no.
would be submerged satellite of an
other power, or split up into a dozen
pieces.
DR.. Seipel is little known outside
Austria chiefly because he shuns the
limelight- His entire life has been
one of seclusion. Christened "Ignatz''
after the patron saint of the Jesuits
educated by them and ordained a
priest he became a teacher of relig-
ion in girls school, then jumped
from professor of moral theology in
Saizourg University to chancellor of
Austria. In that capacity today he
remains faithful to his vow, spurninp
the pomp and ceremony with which
official Austria has always strutted
Instead Of the regal grandeur of
Hapsburg palaces, he dwells in a
small stone cell in a cloister of Notre
Dame du Sacre Occur where he cele-
brates mass every morning, and has
an iron kettle of soup sent from the
convent to his office in the Bundles
ministerium every noon. He dresses
simply and is very fond of noodles.
Savior of Austria.
This is the man, called by his enc
mics "the new Michiavelli." by his
friends "the modern st. Francis" but
recognized by all as the savior of the
Austrian republic.
What" / asked, lis the secret of
Austria's political stability"
"The middle classes" DR.. Seipel re-
piled promptly. ITO you, as an out
slider, it may seem strange that while
Germany and Hungary had their days
of communism and now their threats
of monarchism. Austria, the former
seat of the Hapsburg empire, has
been spared a revolution. This is
due entirely to the Austrian middle
classes. which have held their ground
and not permitted themselves to be
coerced by extremists OF either side
we are now enjoying for the fourth
year a middle class majority in the
National Council, with it's accompany
ing middle class government.
Fortunately, also, Austria has no
such wide gap between the upper
and lower classes as exists in many
countries. The Christian Socialist
party, the largest in the National
Council, of which l myself am men,
Der, rejects the idea Of class war and
endeavors to reconcile the differences
between the rich and poor by a sensi-
BILE social policy. OF course the oppo-
sition, or Social Democratic party,
has been sometimes moderate, some
times radical, according to the inter-
nal evolution Of the party. But the
important thing is that the middle
classes have grown. stronger despite
the opposition"
Moderates Win.
The chancellor referred to the re4
cent elections, in which his own
party, the Christian Socialists, had
gained safe working majority over
the Social Democrats.
These middle classes he contia-
ued, ARE the people with fixed m
comes, who suffered most during the
starvation days here In Vienna. They