Evening star., 1935-12-08
BY ALBIN E. JOHNSON.

BY ALBIN L. JOHNSON.
W VIENNA dictatorship is
~ definitely emerging out of the
W welter of Central European
politics, as Prince Ernst Rudi-
ger Won Starhemberg, former Nazi
turned Fascist, firmly establishes his
grip over Austria.
Taking advantage Of the pre-occu-
patton of the powers, including Italy
and Germany, Won Starhemberg, after
sending the unreliable Maj. Emil Fey
into the discard, now has only the
half-sick 38-year-old Chancellor Kurt
Schuschnigg between himself and the
regency. What Prince Won Starhem-
berg's next move will be remains to be
seen. But all signs indicate that he
intends to emulate his IDOL, MuSsolini,
or at least install himself as pseudo
king, like Admiral Nicolas Horthy in
Hungary. There are various roads
ahead which Austria may follow.
First. The much-discussed return
of Archduke Otto to the throne is well
within the realms of possibility. Aus
tria is ripe for re-establishment Of the
monarchy.
Second. A government similar to
that in Hungary, with Prince Won
Starhemberg as regent, Is being SYM
pathetically considered by the princes
followers.
Third. A Nazi-Socialist combination
may at any moment precipitate the
nation in another civil war, reWving
the struggle between the city radical
workers and Socialists and the pro-
vincial Catholic conservatives.
Left Groups Formidable.
Despite the official dissolution Of
the Socialist party and the exiting Of
its leaders the Left groups are still for
midable. They are bitter political
enemies of the Christian Socialists,
who form the backbone of the con-
servative forces. The Nazis Of Austria
are q nebulous element, drawing their
followers from all classes, including
the Communists. Alone, they are not
dangerous, but II they combine with
the Social Democrats against the COM
mon enemy they may become for
midable.
Determining factors behind the
scenes are Italy and Germany. Ever
since the armistice Austria has been
the puppet of outside powers or the
protege of the League of Nations.
Mussolini still backs Won Starhemberg,
The withdrawal of Italian troops from
the Brenner Pass region has no signifi-
canoe. It is a seasonal maneuver made
necessary by approaching Winter.
Hitler still befriends the Austrian
Nazs, but he can afford to wait. 1t
would not be wise to add heavy
Catholic element to Germany at the
moment, even If it were politically
feasible. Hitler has enough trouble at
home as 1t Is.
The removal of Maj. Emil Fey, who
seems to be definitely out Of the pic
ture, was inevitable. Since Dollfuss
assassination Mai. Fey, who was In
the chancellory at the time, ready to
throw in his hand with the rebels, has
been suspected. He is hated by the
Socialists, who call him "the butcher,
and mistrusted by the government,
He Is presumably a monarchist, but Is
known to be sympathetic toward the
Nazis. Fey's Vienna Heimwehr, which
Is being dissolved, was as hard-boiled
group. of freebooters as Europe has
seen since the armistice. They have
been described as "glorified gangsters,
similar to Capt. Roehm's Munich
Brownshirts. In eliminating Fey, one
of the few holders Of the Maria
Therese Cross, Won Starhemberg EMU
lated the tactics Of Hitler. He Is merg-
ing Fey's Heimwehr with his own con-
tingents and abolishing those groups
which are unmanageable. Won Star
hemberg has also crippled the personal
army created by Dollfuss and inherited
by Schuschnigg, the Catholic Ost-
marck. These men are allowed to