Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-02-22
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

vi hIllS ALBEIT worn came from bruS-
sells that one of the extreme groups
of Belgian socialists had decided they
would not recognize the new king.
That is, however, not likely to be of
any real significance-at least, moth
ing when compared to the civilian
war which took place in Austria last
week. That is ended, for the time
being, anyhow-ended with what the
government likes to consider a glOr-
ious victory for itself, disastrous de-
feat for the revOlutionists.
1t is still impossible to ascertain
perhaps will always be so-how many
lives we're lost during the bitter Au-
strian fighting; estimates still run all
the way from 500 to 1000, the ten
dency of the Engelbert Dollfuss gov
eminent being to make it appear as
small as possible.
No outside observer is able to see
what was gained by the battles in
Vienna, Graz. Linz and the other
cities where regular massacres took
place; no one can understand the
necessity of government, but few
days before proclaiming unshakable
confidence in it's own strength, direct
ing artillery fire against working
mems homes; nobody seems in posi-
ton to grasp the purpose of such
waste of human lives as took place.
Other Powers Interested.
Now, the civil war did not pri-
,.ilx hn h,,r ,;,,-
of a merger between Austria and
Germany; it was simply a fight to
the hilt between the socialistic work
ers, believers in liberalism, parlia-
mentarism and democracy, on one side,
and adherents of the fascist princi-
ples-of the Italian type-on the
other. The German form of fascism-
popularity known as nazism-which
favors the consolidation with Ger
many-waS not involved.
But since others powers realized
how apparently easy it is to start
trouble in country as nervously on
edge as Austria has been for many
to assert themselves, for Great Brit
ain, France and Italy issued a joint
declaration to the effect that Au-
strian independence and integrity
must be preserved.
This, of course, was understood to
be addressed to the German govern
ment. At the same time it was also
understood that the protest, circum-
stances being what they are, canno:
be considered much more than ges-
ture for it is quite apparent that
Great Britain, at least, is neither will
ling nor prepared to go beyond mere
theoretical protest. A war for the
purpose of protecting Austrian indie
pendence seems unthinkable just now
for many reasons.
Germany, wisely, has hello, aloof
during these critical days; only a
hint has been emitted from Berlin:
wouldn't it be to the point to let
the world know against whom Au-
strian independence is to be pro-
tected?"
1t seems the German thesis runs
something like this: AS result of
pOpuIdl III UOLil COulitI lCS,
the merger will be an accomplished
fact some day, So why should Ger
many do anything to hasten it along?
1t will come, anyhow.
And most certainly, Germany is
not DESTROYS of trying to annex Au-
stria by force of arms.
British Alternative.
Sir John Simon and two other men,
bers of the British cabinet have found
it opportune to declare that unless
an international agreement about dis
armament be reached very soon, Great
Britain will deem it imperative to in
crease her military and naval arma
ments to the very limit. To avoid
such a contingency, and to promote
the cause of disarmament, Captain
Anthony Eden, assistant foreign min
lister, has been sent on a pilgrimage
to the continental capitals with in
structions to at least attempt to re-
vive foreign interest in the cause of
limitation and reduction of arma-
mentS.