Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-18
The Austrian Crisis.

Affairs in Vienna have been re-
stored approximately to normal, ac-
cording to latest accounts. and now
comes the problem Of adjustment. A
difficult problem that will be, it would
seem. in view Of the fact that the
national administration is not willing
to reorganize Parliament as con-
dition antecedent to the calling off of
the communications strike. while the
Socialists. with whom the administra-
ton is negotiating. insist upon such
a reorganization as the first step.
Some settlement will doubtless be eff
fected. inasmuch as both sides realize
that the continuance of the strike
is grievously injuring Austria and
playing into the hands Of the Com
munists, who really started the trou-
bles of last week.
This tragedy in Vienna, which has
cost the lives Of perhaps half hun
dred and an immense, virtually un-
countable loss in property-inasmuch
as the burning of the Palace Of Jus.
tice destroyed irreplaceable records
Is traceable directly to the efforts Of
a comparatively small number of
radicals who thought to seize upon
the dissent from the acquittal Of some
Fascists on a murder charge to over
turn the government and set up a
Soviet organization. It was while the
Socialists were demonstrating in front
Of the justice building against the ac-
quittal Of the accused Fascists that
the Communists came upon the scene,
armed and bent upon starting an in
surrection. The leader of the reds
has been captured. 1t is believed that
the riot was plotted. and there is not
lacking the suggestion that it had
its origin lin the Russian legation in
Vienna. A charge to that effect has
been brought, but it will doubtless be
Indignantly denied by the Moscow au-
thorities.
The disposition to blame radical dis
orders in Central Europe upon Mos
COW Is not unreasonable in view of
the coincidence Of the aims Of the
Vienna Communists and of the Rus
Sian extremists, who have gone far
afieId In their agitations and propa-
ganda. The sorry condition Of Aus.
tria constitutes an invitation to the
Moscow reds to make an effort there
to overturn the existing organization
in favor Of a Soviet form Of govern
ment.
This disorder has occurred at a
most unfortunate time for Austria. It
Is the height Of the tourist season.
Thousands Of visitors from all parts
Of the world, travelling over Europe,
make Vienna an objective, attracted
by its architectural beauties and its
'gay life." Now they are being
driven away by the rioting and pre-
vented from coming, If their nerve
permits the attempt. by the suspen-
sion Of railway communications. A
&OSo VI 4tAouy 1ieAo OCNAi
hicted upon the country by this fail
dre Of free-spending traffic.
Economically Austria is in a very
low condition. It's trade has fallen
of, its richest industrial areas have
been lost in the adjustments of terri.
tory following the Great War. It
has no seaport. 1t is. in truth, sub.
sisting upon the slenderest Of re.
sources. The League Of Nations is in
part supporting it by various devices.
There is cause for qualification in
the suppression Of the disorders and
the approach to normal conditions at
Vienna. For a successful radical
. movement there would have had grave
consequences. not alone in Austria,
but in other Middle European coun-
tries.