Evening star., 1934-03-04
NATIONS EYE
POWER DUEL
OF DICTATORS
Duce and Hitler
Seek Control
of Austria.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
possibly such occupation will be re-
sisted by the Austrians, who in the
main are bitterly anti-Italian. Thus
Europe will be treated to the spec
tacle Of an italian army occupying
Austria against the will of the people
themselves. Hitler could defend Aus
tria with German troops, but he
doesn't have to, for Italian occupa-
tion cannot last forever and German
rearmament will be proceeding apace.
In the meantime, MuSsolini will
have to rely upon Hungarian aid.
While the Hungarians will be pro-
Italian as long as the little entente
is backed by France, they are actually
eager to escape domination by any
foreign country Inevitably, then, just
as there is now a pro-German and a
pro- Italian party in Austria-the
Nazis and the Fascists-the same Sit
uation would appear in Hungary
where there is a considerable German
minority and no Italian element.
Back of the whole problem lies the
basic fact that Germany, in popula-
tion, economic resources and military
potentialities, is vastly greater than
Italy. In addition, she can offer the
Central European states market
which Italy cannot provide. In q
word, all that Italy has in the game
is temporary superiority in military
preparations and a momentarily larger
army. France. while she played the
game in Central Europe, had money.
which is lacking alike to Germany
and to Italy.
Time Hitler's Ally.
Time then is clearly on HitlerS
side. Austria now will come to him
in due course no matter what hap
pens, because its population is Ger
man. its tradition is anti-Italian and
while the NaZis are naturally for
Hitler, the Socialists are henceforth
irreconcilably opposed to Mussolini.
who is identified as the power behind
Dollfuss. And the fate of the German
minority annexed by Italy in the
Upper Adige after the war constitutes
a further basis for anti-Italian feel
ings.
=,
will suffer herself to be squeezed out
OF the Central European situation.
That would certainly be unlikely If
France had a strong nationalist gov
ernment and secure domestic situa-
ton. But neither exists at the mo-
ment. On the contrary, while the
men who are directing French foreign
policy-Tardieu, Barthou and Her
riot-are nationalist in the field of
foreign affairs, the country is not
united and the coming of Doumergue
has so far brought not peace but, at
most, only truce.
With France paralyzed by domestic
discord. her Central European allies
are bound to feel themselves deserted
and exposed. Poland has already quit
France because of that sense of isola-
ton and insecurity. In Rumania, at
least. there have been clear signs Of
a division of opinion, eg., the assas-
sination of Duca by Nazi sympathizers.
Unless. France takes q clear stand
shortly, Rumania and perhaps even
Czechoslovakia will have to make
terms with Germany; Benes and
Titulescu will be driven to make way
for pro-German or pro-Italian states
men.
France Would Gain Security.
Many Frenchmen believe this would
be all to the good for France. She
would lose political prestige but she
would gain in security. Her respon-
sibilities would be limited to the Rhine,
where she has the British guarantee
OF Locarno. She could complete her
Notifications on the north, maintain
her army in its present state or further
improve it, and let Germany and Italy
fight it out in Central Europe.
But II France should take such q
line, the eventful defeat of Mussolini
In the great duel with his most prom
Using pupil would seem a foregone
conclusion. And that is the case be-
cause all the material advantages
must eventually lie with Hitler
Whether Europe itself, through some
such alliance as might still be framed,
could block Hitler and prevent the
creation of his Mitteleuropa, once the
little entente had been dissolved,
seems doubtful. But such an achieve
ment by Italy alone, or by Italy unless
backed by France and Great Britain,
Is out OF the question, If Hitler can
consolidate Germany behind his Nazi
regime. And that seems not only pos
sible but probable.
There can be no balance Of power
IN Europe with Britain out. Germany
Is on the way to becoming too strong
tor the rest of the continent. France,
Italy and the little entente might
postpone German success by war of
prevention. But when Italy, hand in
hand with Germany, has abolished
the little entente. all prospective bal
ance OF power is destroyed and the
French almost certainly will not Join
hands with the Italians in a doubtful
war under the leadership of the man
who wrecked their European set-up.
As for the British, they are out and
mean to stay out. AS long as the
Germans stay away from the Rhine
and refrain from making any too
overt gestures in the way of building
. new navy, the British are likely to
close their eyes to eventualities. They
are just enjoying a bit of economic
recovery and mean to hold it. All
Capt. Eden's negotiations about dis
armament are pure eye wash. What
the Macdonald cabinet is trying to
do is to cover itself against a Labor
attack led by Henderson and based
upon the charge that it has not sim
cerely and sufficiently supported dis
armament and the League.
Britain, having retired across the
Channel, 1t is likely France will with
draw to the Rhine and Mussolini and
Hitler will be left to fight it out. The
first clear sign of French determine
ton will be failure to support the
little entente. which will thereupon
dissolve suddenly and explosively.
Or there may come at any moment
an upheaval within Austria which
will lead to the overthrow of the
Dollfuss government or the military
Intervention of Italy.
If there is military Intervention,
there can and will be Austrian re-
siStance, hopeless while Germany
r<4 ID L,.A