Evening star., 1934-03-16

dispatches by Sir ,Phtltp Gtbbs on
the likelihood OF another European
Udr.
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS, X. b. E.
ROME. March 16 (By Radio).-
Here in Rome public opinion expressed
privately is. I find, very skeptical Of
any important result from the con-
ference among the rulers Of Italy,
Austria and Hungary.
So far as the economic situation is
concerned it seems unlikely that any
amount Of conversation will alter the
painful fact that. Italy cannot pro-
vide new markets on big scale for
either Austria or Hungary, and that
Is their urgent need
Italy, under the signature of Musso-
lini, has already bought an immense
quantity of grain from Hungary which
cannot be put on the world market
and is not needed for Italian con-
sumption. That is a gesture of friend
ship which cannot be repeated.
Italy cannot afford to subsidize
either Austria or Hungary for any
length of time without great danger
to her own economic status, which Is
not magnificent. Something may be
done by Mussolini's magnetic influence
to create bigger flow of trade be-
tween Austria and Hungary, which
try to protect their own industries by
the usual customs barriers, with the
usual result of creeping paralysis.
Three power Pact Futile.
1t is also on the agenda of the con-
ference to give greater facilities in the
port of Trieste to Austria and Hun
gary in order to bring back life to
It's empty sheds. All that has some
amount of importance to the local
interests of the three powers now in
consultation. but it is as plain as
pikestaff that prosperity cannot be
created artiicially by a three power
pact among Austria, Hungary and
Italy when two of those powers have
lost their old sources of wealth and
one of m-Austria-cannot exist
without foreign support.
Mussolini himself realizes this and
has instructed his press, an obedient
department of civil service without
the slightest liberty of opinion, to
avoid all extravagant hopes regarding
the economic possibilities of this con-
ference.
Nothing in big way can be done
20 rescuscitate the commerce of Central
Europe without the collaboration OF
Germany, CzechoslovaAa and Yugo-
Slavia. ! am informed in Rome that
after the present conference Mussolini
will endeavor to obtain that partici-
patton by invitation to those powers,
but instantly political arrangements
will interfere, as usual, with reason
able economic arrangements.
Germany is at the moment very
much annoyed by Italian interference
in Austrian affairs. Czechoslovakia is
not at all happy for the same reason.
AS an Italian remarked to me,
Berlin is having bad dreams because
Rome is trying to get little reason
into the European madhouSe." From
the German point of view, it is Italy
which is playing foolish if not
mad game. German opinion Is con-
vinced that Italy cannot afford the
luxury of supporting her present
policy in Austria, for which she will
have to pay a heavy price.
Austrian Aid Costly. -
German opinion is equally con-
yinced that blood, like water, always
finds its own level, and that Austria
is essentially Germanic and therefore
bound to join the Germanic tide.
The German rritiPc no doubt ORC
right in saying that support Of
Austria is going to be costly business
for Italy. How long, for instance,
can Chancellor Dollfuss pay for the
upkeep of his Heimwehr, numbering
10000 men, with the same number in
reserve? In addition, Austria has to
pay for an army of 1890, a police
force of $4,000 and gendarmerie of
1000, with auxiliaries of 5000, to say
nothing of horde of secret police
who infest the country like the spies
of Count Metternich. The cost of
these guardians of the state is esti-
mated moderately at 100000 a day.
Italy pays. But for how long?
1t has needed many loans since the
war to keep Austria alive. Is Italy
rich enough to pay for this medicine?
No one thinks SO. Perhaps England
and France will oblige with little
ready money in return for the some
what fragile assurance of Austrian
independence. Certain it is that these
points will be discussed between
= DollfuSs and Mussolini, but the con-
versation will be behind closed doors
and not word will be published in
the Italian press.
AS a matter of fact, there is really
no great importance to be attached
to the economic side of this confer
ence in Rome. It Is only what hap
pens behind closed doors which is of
world interest in its political posi-
bilities
Opposes Grouping.
In the Palazzo Chici I had a long
conversation on the European policy
of Mussolini with a brilliant young
man who is allowed to speak for the
premier in the ministry of foreign
affairs. The main point emphasized
was the argument that this three
power conference in Rome is no
attack upon the interests of Ger
many or the Little Entente, and Is
not to be interpreted as an attempt
to create new group of powers
hostile to any other group.
The official view as given In any
foreign Office for purposes of publica-
tion is not to be taken as the un-
G@lGr@E q