Evening star., 1925-05-24
BN FRANK II. SIMONDS.

~ NE of the Strikin" and mpor-
tant after-effects of the cleo
ton of Hindenburc has been
~ the cooling of Austrian ardor
in the matter of union with
Germany. The paradox is, then,
rather impressive. In Germany the
victory of the old marshal is accepted
as a signal for a new agitation for the
revision of the Treaty of Versailles,
both as to the Polish frontiers and as
10 the prohibition of the Austria n
union. But in the country which is
chiefly affected-Austria-- is a
marked tendency To blow cold just as
Germany blows hot.
As a matter of fact. there has been
an extraordinary amount Of eXaGSera-
tion over the question of the union Of
Austria with Germany. The single
basis for such union would naturally
he the desire of the AustrianS-a nd
their overwhelming desire-for the
combination. A case might be made
out against the Treaty of Versailles.
founded upon the right of selfdeter-
nina ton. if. while enabling the
Czechs. the Poles and the Southern
Slavs TO dispose of themselves, it de
MED the German-speaking people of
the remaining fragment of Austria
the same privilege.
Have Mutual Dislike.
But. save for the first evil moments
of despair when Austria seemed
doomed to perpetual misery, the sen
timent for annexation in Vienna has
been far from unanimous. There are
variety of reasons for this. but the
chief are personal and religious: that
is to say, the Austrians have always
regarded the northern Germans, the
PrusSlans. with anything but admira
ton or affection. while the religious
issue has added To the mutual dislike
of he two peoples. The PruSSianS. on
their side. have regarded the Aus
trians as weak and fecklesS people
needing The discipline of blood and
iron To regenerate them.
The triumph OF ilindenburg Is, be
Nond all else, a triumph of the PruS-
sian and the nrussian idea. while his
opponent. Marx. as 4 Catholic. repre-
sented relisiouSly as he did politically
Ideas much more in accord with the
Austrian conception. Many of the
influential newspapers OF Vienna in
their comments upon the Hindenburg
election said very frankly that il was
blow 10 the Austrian groups favor
ing union with Germany.
Germans Have Grievances.
lnSl6 Is, however. a German pha Sc
tn the discussion which has attracted
little attention. but in Berlin was eX-
pressed TO me with no little emphasis
The prohibition which the Treaty of
Versailles established against union
gave the Germans an admirable griev-
ance. Moreover. the possibility of
adding nearly 1000 600 Germans TO
the population of the Reich. thus
making good the losses of the peace
treaty. had its patent appeal. Never
theless. TO add 100000 of Catholics.
whose influence would Enthusiastically
he anti-Prussian, and even republi-
can, was a step which might easily
destroy the present balance in Ger
many and impair the Prussian su
premacy. Thus it was explained to
me that while the Austrian question
was a, good grievance 1t might make
a uncomfortable problem if the pro-
hfbition were removed.
In point of fact, the Austrian situa-
ton recalls quite exactly the case of
Belgium nearly a century ago. when
il seeded from Holland. In this time
ii offered itself openly to France.
During the whole of the revolutionary
and Napoleonic period Belgium had
heen a part of France. and con-