Evening star., 1934-03-08

This is another of series OF
dispatches by Sir Philip Gibbs, 0ho
is studying the likelihood Of an
other 1Udr.
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS, X. B. E.
VIENNA, March Thy radio) i
have been talking in Vienna, which is
now the storm center of European
politics, with people of all classes and
all views. The wounds of civil war
are not yet healed. 1t is only three
weeks since the roar of gunflre
created terror in many hearts and
smashed the power and dreams of the
Social Democrats.
1t is inevitable that wherever people
meet, in private rooms or in other
places where they can speak above a
whisper, there should be passionate
conversation about what has happened
and what is going to happen. Out Of
all this talk I find a certain line of
thought which suggests that Chan
cellor Dollfuss and the present gov
eminent may be able to obtain sup
port for a policy of conciliation and
reconstruction
1 am inclined to believe that at
least in Vienna there is growing
conviction the Dollfuss government
and its policy of national independ
ence offer the only way Of escape
from further civil war created by a
Nazi uprising That would cause a
state of anarchy which would lead TO
foreign intervention and clash be-
tween the great powers with Austria
as a battle-ground.
Provocation on Both Sides.
good deal of the conversation I
hear is of a poSt-mortem character
and that will go on for years. l have
heard many different accounts of the
events which led to the fighting in
Vienna and the bombardment OF
workers dwellings. 1t is all very
tragic, with provocation on both sides.
with young Social Democrats fight
ing with desperate heroism, with
out leadership, and with the main
body OF their fellow workers taking
no part in the struggle and not want
ing its bloodshed or terror.
1t is a long story not yet told, and
perhaps never to be told impartialy
and judicially. But what matter now
are the result and the future. What
IS moving in the minds Of those work
ing people whose control of Vienna is
now destroyed? I spoke with some of
them in model dwellings, which We're
their pride and where the walls are
now pitted with bullets and plugged
by shellfire.
These people are still shaken in
nerve by their frightful ordeal. They
lost leaders. friends. work. Wages-au
hope. as they think But it was re-
markable to me that some were able
to talk calmly of the political situa-
ton. One thing became very clear to
me. These fine model dwellings were
not inhabited by flaming Communists
lusting for the overthrow of society
and for a red terror, but BY respect
able, laval biding folk who had be-
come middle class in their ideas and
ways Of life.
Only small groups of young men.
mostly unemployed. listened TO the
wild words of political leaders who did
not mean their words to be carried
into action and who had no real plan
of attack. Those who remain and
who suffered in conflict not Of their
own making are bitter and despairing.
DoIlfuss Can Win Many.
I feel convinced from what I have
heard among them that they have no
revolutionary intent. 1t is likely some
of them will go over to the NaZis as
one course of opposition to the Doll
fuss government. But 1t is not going
to be mass movement. Most OF
them. 1 believe, hate the Nazls more
than any party in Austria and dread
the brutality and tyranny of the Nazi
regime. 1t must not be forgotten that
there are a good many Jews among
them. and that they know what hui
initiation has befallen the Jews in
Germany.
Dollfuss has a real chance of win
ming over the moderate democrats
among the wOrkerS--the bourgeois
minded among them-if he is gen.
erous in a policy of conciliation. He
wants to be. There is no doubt OF
that.
The streets are placarded with post
ers calling upon the working classes
to be loyal to a policy OF national
unity and peace. They are promised
Justice. liberty and controlling
share in their own interests in new
system Of social reconstruction.
These placards are surrounded by
groups of silent men who make no
comment. The placards are plea
for forgetfulneSs of all bitterness,
which is not possible yet, and for
common action against evil forces
both inside and outside of the coun-
try.
The government is embarrassed by
all its prisoners. 1t would like to
get rid of them as soon as possible,
/ am told. It will be relieved when
the trials are over. In my Judgment
as an outsider 1 believe the govern
ment would strengthen its position
by declaring a general amnesty for
all those boys who. as government
leaders admit, even Prince Starhem-
berg, fought bravely for their ideals.
Continuous Councils Held.
The Austrian mind of the middle
and professional classes is essentially
liberal and moderately philosophical.
In the conversations to which I have
been listening it is astonishing in this
passion to hear men and women dis
cussing events and the future of Aus
tria with a real desire to get at the
truth and see it effectively. Their
views differ on points of argument,
but they seem to agree that political
union with Germany would be a dis
aster, that Nazi rule is contrary to
the Austrian spirit and mind and that
DollfusS is still the most moderating
influence between heimwehr dictator
sI;,, o,d No1i domination