Evening star., 1936-06-07

excelled in difficult Shakespearean
roles.
His school career was abruptly in
terrupted by the war when he was
II. The following year he Joined the
army and was assigned TO the 4th
Regiment of Mountain Artillery, which
the Austrians called life insurance
company"
Young Schuschnigg was within
sight of his lieutenancy when the war
ended for most of his countrymen,
but not for him. The Austro-Hun-
garian forces we're in retreat, and the
armistice was to be signed the follow
ing day when he and his father were
caught by British corps doing aux
iliary service on the Italian front.
This meant eight months of captivity
in Italy.
Becomes Lawyer.
After his return to Innsbruck, Kurt
took up Law, graduated in no time,
and settled down as country lawyer.
But his eloquence was wasted in the
Innsbruck courts. Just then Austrians
were engaged in battle of ideas. The
Socialists wanted to set up world
of social Justice" and the Christian
Social party opposed their revolution
ary zeal. The leader of the latter.
Ignace Seipel, discovered that young
Schuschnigg was of first-class legis-
lative timber. To be picked out by
Seipel as promising young man
meant an assured career-and Kurt
became a member of the Vienna Par
lament at the age Of 20.
His ability and background quail
| ified him for a leading part in the
important judicial and budgetary
| committees. Since, however, he had
more than common political sense, he
realized that in those troublous days
mere ability was not enough. If he
wanted to stand out from the crowd,
he must have his own semi-military
| cohorts. and he set about organizing
| his storm troops.
Schuschnigg was "a years old when
he became minister of justice, and
the following year he also received
the portfolio of the ministry of edu-
cation. Upon him fell the task of
rewriting the Austrian constitution
in order to conform to the less liberal
spirit prevailing in Austria, and of
giving education religious basis. In
this work he earned the respect Of
| his party friends and the hostility of
| the Socialists.
DiSarmed Associates
Schuschnigg had remarkable
aptitude for making people believe
that his rise in the political world
was against his will, and it was a
common saying among his colleagues
| that Kurt is harmless Jealousy
thus dissrmed. he forged on to victory.
When Hitler reached the Wilhelm
strasse the stage was set for major
conflict. Der Fuehrer set his heart on
Incorporating Austria in the Third
Reich. This was to be the Greater
Reich, which Article No. l of his
party program promised the faithful
II Duce, on the other hand, merely de-
sired to fill the role of an honorary
elder statesman for Austria. He did
not and does not want to take phys
ical possession of the country.
The persecution of Catholics In
Germany and the Nazis' raid on state
rights alienated the sympathies OF
many Austrians, citizens of Catholic
country and proud of their historical
heritage. Chancellor Dollfuss sue
ceeded in becoming Austria's minia-
ture dictator, all the more powerful
because he had the support of all
Europe against the Nazis. After his
death. the question arose as to who
should be called to take his place
After some hesitation, Vienna's poll
ticians agreed that Schuschnigg the
Harmless would be the safest bet. He
did not disappoint them for nearly
two years.
Starhemberg Makes Bid.
Meanwhile, Prince Starhembere
made his bid for power with the ai6
Of his Fascist army, the home guards
While nobody could accuse the prince
of being a brilliant man, he scored
victories because of his constant repe-
tition of a guiding idea: Socialism
must be destroyed. So successfully
did he operate with this obsession that
he thought of breaking into immor-
tality with q daring coup.
The Vienna cafes, which are some
times remarkably well informed, were
buzzing with stories of the princes
impending step. He wanted to become
the regent governor of Austria, and
thus occupy a quasi-royal position
His attitude toward the pretender to
the Austrian throne. Crown Prince
Otto, whom he refused to see in Paris,
lent authenticity to these stories. It
was then that Schuschnigg stepped in
and clipped the princes wings.
To be the dictator of Austria is not
a safe occupation. The chancellor,
who is very outspoken In conversation,
has often told visitors about letters
| that he receives almost regularly,
warning him that he had better be
ready to meet his Lord. His wife was
killed in an automobile accident last
Summer, when their car was upset by
large block of stone. Although a
Na1 plot could not be proved, it was
freely talked about In Vienna.
No wonder, then, that the chan
cellor cannot abide the Nazis. Yet
vell-informed Austrians have been
heard to express the view that schusch-