Evening star., 1934-02-16
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


Although Chancellor DollfuSs has
succeeded in suppreSsing by ruthless
means the Socialist revolution in Aus
tria, the situation is still considered
in responsible diplomatic quarters in
Washington extremely grave, because
of the coming struggle between Doll
fuss and his former ally, the leader
of the Austrian Fascists, Prince Won
Starhemberg.
The entire Austrian situation re-
mains an international problem, with
France and Italy as the chief protago-
nists and with Germany in the back
ground waiting patiently for future
Developments
Italy is vitally interested in main
tanning Austria's independence and
favors a Fascist government headed
by Won Stahrenberg, who is a strong
Sympathizer OF MuSSolini.
France is interested in Austrias in
dependence because a Nazified Aus
tria means an immediate threat to one
of the most faithful allies of the
French republic, Czechoslovakia. The
hesitant policy of the French gov-
ernments which have preceded the
Doumergue administration has Gre
ated bad impression among the ma
tions of the Little Entente and con-
trasted to Frances detriment with the
energetic policy of IL Duce.
Expect French Leadership.
The eyes of the heads of the Little
Entente are directed toward Paris;
they expect the new French govern
ment to show some real leadership,
and especially strength in maintain
ing all the provisions Of the Versailles
and Trianon treaties.
But should France continue to fol-
low its uncertain policy, of talking
and not acting, it is not impossible
that the new states formed after the
war, will look to Italy for support and
leadership.
Austria, all these states believe. can
not continue to live much longer as
an independent state. The whole
question is whether it will become
Fascist or Nazi. That is to say, will
she be absorbed by Germany or will
she fall under the influence of Italy.
In case Austria becomes Nazi, the
independence of the entire group of
Central and Southeastern European
states will be threatened. Czecho-
Slovakia, for one, will not be able to
withstand for long the pressure of
pan-Germanism. Hungary and Ru-
mania will be compelled to fall into
the German sphere of influence, too.
Worried About France.
The independent life Of these states
has been predicated on Frances abil-
ity to maintain the peace treaties un-
touched. Frances platonic interest
in the Central European affairs is
worrying these nations which at the
present moment feel seriously threat
ened by the powerful growth OF Hit
lerism. Their appeals to France has
been answered heretofore with the
assurances from Paris don't worry,
we shall all appeal to the League of
Nations, which will keep Hitler in
order" And they are all becoming
increasingly skeptical about the abil-
ity of the League to keep anybody in
order.
OF course, it Is realized that Aus
tria, in spite of her racial and lin
guistic affiliations with Germany, is
not in sympathy with the Nazi idea.
Vienna, which has a population of
close to 1000, 900 people, is eminently
a Socialist center and so are the i'm
portant industrial towns throughout
the country. Furthermore, there is
T-h 11fs tn
the little republic who would prefer
any form of government to Hitler
ism. But the strength of the Nazi
movement lies mainly in the fact that
an energetic minority Is capable Of
forcing disorganiZed masses into sub
mission; and the other political par
ties in Austria are disorganized and
demoralized today. Consequently, un-
less there is some outside influence,
it is more than probable that Austria
will join Germany sooner or later.
Faith in DOumergue.
The little entente alone Is power
less against this menace. 1t still looks
to France to show signs Of an ener-
getic attitude to prevent this to hap
pen, and the leaders of the little
entente feel that the present Dou-
mergue cabinet will show strength
this time.
But should France let her allies
down on account Of her own difficult
problems they feel that they will
have to direct their policies toward
closer cooperation with Italy. And
there are many political leaders, out
side the present governments Of the
little entente, with exception Of Jugo-
slavia. who are strongly advocating
such a policy.
The Italians feel that under the
present chotic conditions the Austrian
people are more likely to accept