Evening star., 1938-03-12
Martyr Austria.

The triumph of brutality, of ruthless
ness, over humanity became more COM
plete, at least for the moment, with the
German invasion and subjugation of
Austria to Naziism.
Souls are aching for the martyr re-
public in America today, but her destiny
to become part of the German colossus
was sealed at Versailles and st. Germain-
en-Laye. The peace makers thirst for
revenge foredoomed the little Danubian
republic finally to capitulate to German
demands for complete Nazification. Such
is the heavy hand of the past upon the
future.
1t is redundant to repeat that the
conquest of Austria is the victory
of dictatorship over democracy. Such
victories have been only too numerous.
The significance of Reichsfuehrer Hitler's
military coup is in the explanation it
gives of his meeting with Premier Mus
solini at Berlin last September.
The progressive steps since September
departure of Italy from the League and
extension of the anti Communist pact
to Italy-climaxed now by virtual in
corporation of Austria within Das
Deutsches Reich reveal more clearly
that Mussolini and Hitler have entered
into a solemn compact for mutual ag-
gression. Germany has received her pay
ment What will Italy's be? The answer
to that question awaits Hitlers Journey
to Rome in May
That Austria. being German, belongs
IN the German Reich few thinking per-
sons would question. But that Austria
should be blackjacked into that union
is revolving to all concepts of decency
and morals. Hitler could have rested
confident that the pressure of economic
difficulties would some day, not far
distant, have forced Austria into the
arms of Germany, at which time the
Reich could have accepted her without
opposition. Instead, the Reichsfuehrer
chose to force her into an unholy mar
riage which will forever hang over Ger
man history like a shadow, just as
Austria -Hungarys annexation of Bosnia
and Herzegovina in 1908 places on her
a great portion of blame for the World
War.
What new phase of world history has
been ushered in it is impossible to
prophesy. That Czechoslovakia is doomed
to Austria's fate requires no clairvoy-
ance. But one is prompted to ask how
Tar jungle strength will be permitted to
rule. Czechoslovakia may fall to Ger
many, the Mediterranean may become
an Italian lake, Africa may become a
new Roman empire, but how far will
people Of Christian principle permit brute
force to go before it meets an uprising
OF the Righteousness which has been
mans guiding light through centuries?
1t is not question only of democracy
versus dictatorship. Democracies can be
as despicable at times as any tyranny
has ever been. 1t is a question, rather,
OF human respect and decency against
callousness and brutality.
The most pathetic figures in the drama
are not Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg nor
President Miklas, who have struggled to
preserve Austrias freedom. They are
Great Britain and France, giants with
their vast aerial naval and military in
struments yet like children before the
threat of force. Giants whose slightest
movement is enough to shake the world,
yet who are powerless to save a people
from foreign domination. The best they
can do is formulate strong joint pro-
tests. Ink without iron!