Evening star., 1935-03-10
WALES VISIT TO VIENNA
MORE THAN MERE TRIP
Welcome in Austrian Capital Assumes
Proportions of State Visit, Although
He Travelled IncOgnitO.

This city-state is not merely weak,
but its present regime owes a con-
siderable part of its strength to the
support of outside powers. particu-
larly France and Italy. There IS q
very powerful element Gts enemies
say only 25 per cent of the pcpula-
ton. while its partisanS say 20 per
cent? which is ready to accept the
consequences of defying France and
reorienting Austrian policy toward
Germany That element, so far. has
been kept down. but only at the cost
of much bloodshed 1t has on its
side the very strong appeal of
restoration of at least part of the
territory and dignity of pre-war
Austria.
Only Hub Remains.
Meanwhile. Vienna presents con-
flicting picture of accumulated, but
non-negotiable. wealth, and actual
crushing poverty. We have here a
world capital of 100000 inhabitants,
with financial, political and cultural
facilities on a scale for dealing with
an empire of 100000 additional
persons. Its set-up also provided for
large revenues from its cultural and
business relations with most PARTS of
Europe
But today only the hub rtmains.
The spokes that radiated influence
and drew strength throughout Europe
are gone. Four-f of her terri
tory and the best of her industries
have been turned over to other, newly
created powers. Adverse money re-
strictions increase her handicaps
abroad and pinch her at home.
I have seen here a dozen or so
women with sacks in their hands
following a coal wagon in the hope
that lump or two will fall of from
time to time. When a tree falls in
park the destitute are allowed to
gather every portion of it. to the
tiniest twigs, for use as fuel. The
larger hotels seem to have about one
tenth the guests they can aecommo-
date. The people are poorly clad
and many public buildings are as
cold as tomb. The telephone book
in my hotel room is dated 1882, and
it is a tip-top hotel.
And yet Austria has a greater per
capita wealth in art treasures than
any nation today. Their value has
been estimated at close to two billion
dollars. One would think that there
would be a clamor to sell such things
and distribute the proceeds.
People Make Great Sacrifices.
The spirit of the people. however.
is shown in their attitude toward
these very assets. The government
and the people have made tremendous
sacrifices for their preservation and
upkeep. Enemies of the regime have
charged that these treasures are being
disposed of secretly, charge which
has in no case been sustained.
can understand, however, why
such charges gain currency. The cost
of guarding rearranging and ade-
quately displaying these objects is
immense. At this particular season,
for instance, two of the most valuable
displays in the world, the crown
Jewels of the holy Roman empire and
Benvenuto Cellini's salt-cellar dor
which an offer of $4,000, 600 has been
refused) have been closed off from the
public.
Naturally, wondered whether there
was something behind such a notice.
I particularly wanted to see the salt
cellar. which is rated as the most
famous Renaissance piece in existence.
An appeal to the director OF the
CONTINUED on Third ePags.l -.