Evening star., 1934-02-26
Another European Crisis.

Another European Crisis.
Events in Austria march these days
with a Kaleidoscope swiftness that
fairly battles comprehension and Ger.
tainly deies prediction. That they
are rushing to a crisis seems unques-
tionable.
Over the week end there were cir
cumstantial indications of a Fascist
Heimwehr march on Vienna, on the
model of Mussolini's historic descent
upon Rome at the head of his Black
Shirt legions, with harassed Chancellor
Dollfuss reported ready to hand over
the reins of government to the Heinz
Wehr leaders, Prince Starhemberg
and Vice Chancellor Fey. Heimwehr
troop movements and concentrations
took place on a scale foreshadowing
decisive Developments, but up to this
morning nothing had occurred, al
though tension endures and Vienna
has its fevered existence amid condi-
tions out of which almost anything
can come.
Ever since the DollfusS government
resorted to sanguinary suppression Of
its Socialist enemies, the impression
has crystallized that Italy is largely
directing affairs in Austria. The
Starhemberg- dominated Heir1wehr,
almost openly pro-Fascist on Mussolini
lines, is generally credited with the
purpose of setting up Vienna die
tatorship on the Rome pattern. Into
that pattern, it has been suggested,
Chancellor Dollfuss is resigned to fit
himself, much as King Victor Emanuel
twelve years ago accepted the over
lordship Of Benito Mussolini.
If this be the impending scheme,
II Duce would play for higher stakes
than the mere establishment of a
Fascized Austrian republic. Musso-
lini's desire to accomplish Danubian
union of Austria and Hungary under
Italian influence, and perhaps with
the young Hapsburg heir, king" Otto
as enthroned ruler, is well known.
Once such combination were
effected, the next step would be to
bring the members Of the Little En-
-Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and
Rumania-within its orbit. Italian
hegemony over Central Europe would
be in sight.
Back of all these grandiose plans,
of course, is the primary determine
ton of Austria and Italy to thwart
the absorption of Austria by Nazl
Germany. Mussolini does not con-
template with equanimity the arrival
of Germany as a next door neighbor
at the Brenner Pass, with the eventual
spreading of Nazi influence from the
North Sea to the Adriatic.
The plans to keep Nazidom out OF
Austria by setting up faScism at
Vienna do not take France into
consideration. The French are as de-
termined as Italy to prevent Austro-
German union, but would be no less
resolute against any maneuvers de-
signed to make Mussolini the master
of Central European destinies. begin
Ning With an Itallan.c0ntr0ntd Danu.
bian union.
Austria thus again hoists continen-
dilemma of incalculable gravity.
duel for supremacy between Hitler
and Mussolini is obviously indicated
In Germany on Sunday a million
fanatically loyal functionaries of the
Nazi regime swore vow of unques-
tioning obedience to the chancellor
that anoints him with the authority
of a crowned sovereign. Counting
his storm troops and other semi
military units, Hitler today is the un-
challengable master Of probably M
fewer than four million men ready tc
do his bidding in peace or in war. A
Hitlerite spokesman has delivered te
Austria an "ultimatum," with time
limit, to hand over the government tt
Nazis. Along the Austro- German
frontier rife fire is cracking a.
ominous border incidents flare up.
Once more the continent reverts Il
type. A spark from any one of a
dozen directions can ignite the powder
barrel.