Evening star., 1934-02-18
Trouble Is Expected in Austria as Long
As She Is a PaaUn in Diplomatic Came
Germany, France and
Italy Each Seeks to
Extend Influence.
Manifesto of Big Three
Seen Merely as Inter-
esting Opinion.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
THE LULL in the Austrian civil
war has given the chief inter-
ested powers, Great Britain,
IL France and Italy, a breathing
spell which permits them to
try to prevent collapse of the young
republic by warning to the world at
large that Austria's independence
must be maintained.
In Washington diplomatic circles
this manifesto of the Big Three is
considered as an interesting express
sion of opinion, but unlikely to change
much the general situation.
Austria, it is feared here; will con-
tinue to be the scene of internal trou-
bles as long as three big powers. Ger
many, Italy and France. continue to
consider that country pawn in their
diplomatic game.
The interest of these three powers
in Austria Is diametrically opposed.
France and Her Allies.
France is interested in the Danu-
bian republic because of her allies, the
little entente.
The entire policy of France, as the
principal European power. is based on
her alliance with countries which are
not contingent to her borders. France
created the states of the little entente,
with the sole view Of relying on them
to check any eventual expansion OF
Germany
Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Yugo-
saliva are fully aware of this and
have fashioned their policies toward
this end; they have faithfully endeav-
ored to prevent the expansionist pol
icy Of Germany. Their economic and
political activities were closely con-
nected with those of France even
when 1t may have been more profit
able for them to deal with Germany.
In exchange for this obedience to
France they demanded one thing
principally-a complete assurance that
they will never be in danger Of being
swallowed by the Germans.
Strong Army Necessary.
For this reason France had to be
strong militarily and adamant to any
request from the Reich to change the
Versailles treaty so as to enable Ger
many to increase her military ma
chinery. There have been many in
stances during the last 18 months
when the French government would
have been willing to come to terms
with the Germans, but the protests OF
the little entente prevented any un-
derstanding.
Eroy &c fhn nYY1u
one Of the three powers interested in
the immediate ff e of Austria, which
actually desires the maintenance of
status quo in Central Europe.
Even the restoration of the Haps-
burg monarchy would be a more pal
atable eventuality than the change Of
the present form Of government in
Austria into NaZi or Fascist admin
istration.
The bloody revolution OF last week
has disposed Of the Socialist element
as a political power in the republic.
At present there are only two posi-
bilities: Either a Fascist government
with the remnants Of the Dollfuss
regime and with Prince Starhemberg
or a Nazi government with any op-
portunist at the head, but with Hit
Ter as the actual ruler. Every Nazi,
regardless of his nationality and re-
gardless of the country in which he
lives, owes absolute allegiance to the
great chief in Berlin.
Italians Equally Interested.
The italians are equally interested
in the maintenance Of Austria's in
name at least-but
would not be adverse to a change
from its present form into a Fascist
government. They have been active
for years to spread the Fascist creed
throughout Austria, and have sue
ceeded In forming an imposing Fascist
party.
For the time being Mussolini has
joined the French and the British in
an endeavor to maintain the repub-
lican form Of government in the lit
tie Central European state, but he
realizes that this cannot be kept alive
much longer. Torn between Fascism
and Hitlerism, the country must de-
eide soon which way to 60. The Ital-
ian government believes that the
chances of establishing q Fascist gov
ernment in Vienna are far better than
those Of q Nazi government. Even
the Austrian Socialists would prefer