Evening star., 1943-11-03
Statement Of Allies
On Austria Welcomed
BU DR.. Econ RnnshOfen

An authoritative declaration on Aus
tria was long overdue, and 1t is more
than pleasant that it has been given
such prominence in the results Of the
Moscow deliberations. All Austrians
opposed to Hitlerism and conscious Of
the deep significance of the disappear
ance of Austria in 1893 will gratefully
acknowledge this first decisive step to-
ward the liberation of their subjugated
country. An incomprehensible silence
had shrouded the Austrian question for
the last year or two, and we Austrians,
who have been trying to remind the
public opinion of the United Nations
OF the Importance Of an equitable solu-
ton OF the Austrian question not only
for Europe, but also for the peace of
the world, will now be able to contribute
our share to the allied struggle.
1t is particularly important that
Soviet Russia has agreed to the formula
embodied in the official Moscow state
ment. MoscoW's attitude toward the
Austrian question had not been clear
up to the present, and it is gratifying
that the Kremlin joins the United States
and Great Britain in declaring the
annexation imposed upon Austria by
Germans in March, 1888, as null and
void
In this connection it is of ma jor i'm
portance that the Austrian question
is not considered an isolated problem,
but a problem involving the whole of
what is usually called the Danubian
region. The statement contains an un-
mistakable alluSlOn to the need OF
cooperative organization in the South
eastern European region with Austria
as one of its component parts WASH
ington and, to certain degree, London,
have been known to favor the idea OF
federation or confederation in this part
OF the world, but grave doubts were
expressed by so-called experts in Soviet
psychology as to the readiness of Soviet
Russia to foster or even to acquieSce in
such solution. Russia seemed to have,
in the recent past, by implication eX-
pressed her dsapproval of any plan of
federation or confederation of these
and Austria border on Soviet Russia
The statement just issued shows that
better councils have prevailed and that
such close link between these small
states would on the contrary, be a safe
guard to RuSsla's security-not Gordon
Sanitaire.
AS an English writer recently stated:
The mass of inha harbor feel
ings of deep sympathy for Russia.
though it is equally true that some of
them fear Russian domination They
will, however, never agree to march
against Russia. 1t is obvious that the
confederation can only emerge and
survive in close cola boration with Rus
sia based on mutual respect"
In this context it is noteworthy that
Bulgaria never declared war on Russia
in spite Of her close relation TO GERMANY.
that Hungary only contributed token"
contingents TO Hitlers crusade and that
the Austrians pressed into the German
Army by the Third Reich were most un-
willing to fight against Russia. Deser-
tions Of Austrians must have convinced
the Kremlin OF this attitude known TO
all OF us who had some Subterranean
contacts with the Austrian underground
movements.
The concluding paragraph of the Mos
COW statement will be read by Austrians
with mixed feelings of consent and ap-
prehension. 1t speaks of Austria's re-
sponsibility for participation in the war
on the side of Hitlers Germany" It is
not denied that Austrians have as Ger
man soldiers been compelled to fght-so
have citizens Of other conquered coun-
tries
But Austria having been a victim OF
aggression AS the Introductory statement
expressly says. could not possibly be
made responsible As nation for the
acts OF its overlords. She cannot be
accused for the fact that Hitler chose A
different pattern Of integration for the
Austrians, compared with the incorpora-
ton Of other nations into the Third
Reich. and it should not be forgotten
that the de facto or even de jure recog-
milton OF the annexation by a number
"of democracies facilitated his game in
this respect
1t can therefore be assumed that this
reference to Austria's responsibility is
meant to serve as stimulus to the.
Austrian population to contribute to the
extent Of their possibilities to the de-
struction Of Hitlerism from within 1t
is thus of the greatest importance that
the propaganda of London, Washington
and Moscow aimed at Austria stresses
this aspect of the decision rather than
a responsibility which the Austrians
themselves will be unable to understand
in view of their loss of sovereignty and
independence year and half prior to
the outbreak of the war
The Moscow declaration raises anew
the question of the recognition of an
Austrian national representation abroad,
similar to the recognized bodies of other
subjugated countries. While most of the
collaboration must come from inside.
such a representation of the Austians
abroad could contribute to the war effort
considerably, could provide the United
Nations with competent advisors, and
help them to organize the collaboration
of the Austrian population in the liberia
ton of the world from the Hitlerian
nightmare
The Moscow declaration is a first step
and it is to be hoped that other steps
will follow this historical document
within a short time. The Austrians in
this country As we'll as in England and