Evening star., 1934-03-12
|TALY'S PARLEYS
WATCHED BY HULL
Austria and Hungary Pact
May Crown Achievements
of MussoIini.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
attitude, the State Department is
watching with intense interest the
conversations between Signor Mus
solini. Chancellor Dollfuss of Austria
and Foreign Minister Goemboes of
Hungary. which will be held early this
week In Rome.
Secretary Cordell Hull, who has
been keeping aloof from all European
political questions, has shown un-
usual interest In the Central European
situation during the last two weeks.
The meeting between the three
statesmen undoubtedly will be one of
the most momentous held in Europe
since the end of the war.
Although the whole matter is de-
scribed by the Italian and the Austro-
Hungarian press as a plan to bring
about an economic revival Of the two
Danublan states, it is we'll known in
diplomatic circles that any under
standing which might be reached in
Rome will have a very important
political significance, since 1t will lay
the foundation of a new political
orientation of Central and Southeast
ern Europe. under the patronage Of
Italy.
New Currency Probable.
The primary aim of the three
statesmen will be, for the time being,
the organization of a closer economic
collaboration between Austria and
Hungary. The first step will be, 1t
is believed, a monetary union in
which the Austrian shilling and the
Hungarian pengo will be replaced by
new currency, the old kronen,
which has been the currency of the
two countries until the break up Of
the Austro- Hungarian empire.
This move is expected to be followed
shortly by tariff union between the
two countries which, in the opinion
of Mussolini, must precede any at
tempt to regularize the political status
Of the Danubian states by bringing to
the throne of the dual state Archduke
Otto of Hapsburg
Unless new political trouble Of a
violent character develops in Austria,
at the lnstigation of the NaZis, every
thing indicates that the Rome meet
ing will be fully successful.
The ground work has been carefully
laid by the italian diplomats and
Mussolini's assistant. Suvich. has been
busy in the last three weeks to get
Dollfuss and Goemboes lined up The
success of this new alignment be-
tween Austria, Hungary and Italy
means for Mussolini the crowning of
his whole political career.
Europe Impressed.
The firm attitude and the display
Of force of the Italian government in
regard to the Notification of Austria
has caused deep impression through
out Central and Southeastern Europe,
and may have far reaching conse-
ouences. It has shown these states
that they can rely on Italy for sup
port against the Germanization Of
that part of Europe
According to reliable reports, For
eign Minister Edouard Benes of
Czechoslovakia has indicated his de-
sire to talk with MuSSolini in Rome
Heretofore Benes has been one of
the stanchest supporters of the
Little Entente and a firm friend of
France. He personally has not
changed as far as his devotion to
France Is concerned, but the people
of Czechoslovakia. worried about
Frances placidity regarding Hitler's
threats to Central Europe are forcing
Benes to find another orientation of
the countrys s foreign policy.
Consequently, there is strong
possibility that within a short time
this country should come into Italy's
fold, as a policy Of self-protection.
Czechoslovakia was once a member
OF the AuStro-H Hungarian Empire and
its natural outlet to the sea is not
the port of Hamburg, which she is
Italian territory.
Rumania Might Join.
OF the two other states which form
the Little Entente, YUgoslayia Is the
only one which will oppose for politi-
cal reasons an approchement to Italy:
Rulnania has had lately strong dose
OF brown shirt propaganda. which led
to the assassination of Premier Duca.
She might be willing to contemplate
closer co-opera ton with Italy, de-
spite her enmity to Hungary.
Bulgaria has kept aloof from all the
entreaties made to her to join the
Little Entente. King Boris Is the
son-in-law of the Italian King, and
on the whole the Bulgarian people
are friendly to Italy.
With this set-up in mind. Mussolini
hopes to be able to form a Danubian
confederation, maybe not Immediately,
but within the next few years.
Such a confederation, under the
wing of Italy, will be powerful enough
to stand on its own feet economically
and put a stop to all the intrigues
which have made out of Central Eu-
rope one of the most important dan
ger points for new war.