The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-03-16
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
THE RAPE OF A NATION

The rape of pathetic little Austria is now COM
plete.
Hitler. the mad-dog of Europe, has risen to
heights of imperial power that only presage 1ur-
ther exploits toward becoming the modern Caesar
of the world.
Riding in glorious splendour through the streets
of the capital of the conquered country this Tor
mer Austrian house-painter was received with an
acclaim that rocked the continent, an acclaim
springing joyously out of the hearts OF the Naz'
Germans in that country and grudgngly out OF a
reaction of justified fear on the part OF the Aus
trian nationalist.
1t is picture which that unhappy land presents
of weak and defenseess people yielding them
selves in PROSTATE and abject subsection to the IRON
heels of the conquering wastrel Of powerful ne"
Germany
There was nothing Austria could do to save itself
from this pitiable plight. One may pity in this case
without condemning.
Resistance was out Of the question. weak and
orphaned midget might be admired for its courage
in trying to fight back against Goliath with un-
measured resources of brute strength but its in
telligence would be unpraiseworthy
Austria had no option. 1t compelled to he
down and let the pirate stride to his new throne
without so much as the lift of finger of protest
The sovereignty of Austrians as Nationalist Is
gone. Every motion of self-government has been
quelled Every emblem of National independence
has been displaced.
The swastika sweeps from center to crcumter-
ence. Nothing is lacking to make the enforced
elimination of Austria from the sisterhood of Eu-
ropean soveregns finished job from stem to stern
And frightened world looks on with amazement
akin to despair.
Especially are the other little soveregntes in
Central Europe, the Czechs, Hungary, and Ru-
mania, a-tremble before the dazzling spectacle OF
ruthless march of this new Alexander the Great.
new and epochal chapter in the history of hu-
mainly is now being written. The map of the world
is being remade.
A confederation of Naz states in Central Eu-
rope is in process of formation. At its head Will
ride the former house-panter of Austria and over
it's capital will fly the insignia of Pan-German
government.
1t reminds today of nightmare. 1t will read IN
the history books of the future as legend.
For this is an epic in the philosophy of the Rule
of Force Right is being crucifed. Might is march
ing to the throne. 1t is the heyday of the power
of the mailed fist.
A continent is, therefore, aflame with fear.
Not only are independent peoples within the I'M
mediate scope of the imperial prowess of this
Calgula quivering with fright compounded of hate,
but this phenomenal exhibition of Hitlerism rocks
the capitals of far-away countries.
The so-called Great Powers witnessing the
uprising and ascendancy of british politics which
they crushed 20 years ago at the expense of bleed
ing themselves white.
They, too, are alarmed and appalled, and stricken
with terror.
How can Paris and London and even Washing
ton remain complacent as the sweeping surge and
scourge of rolls along in ire
sisted and irresistible waves, leaving in its wake
the remnants of peoples once free and the relics
of governments once sovereign? ..,...
" What else can it mean other than that Arranged
don is speeding this way?-Charlotte Observer