Evening star., 1947-02-10
Letters to The Star
Sees 'Hapsburs Clause in Treaty
With Austria a Dan6er

According to recent report OF the
Associated Press from London, the
delegates Of the United States to the
conference for the preparation Of
treaty with Austria have proposed to
include in that treaty clause pro-
nibiting the restoration Of the Haps-
burg monarchy. But the question of
the restoration of the Hapsburgs to the
Austrian throne does not possess any
immediate actuality. Although a con-
siderable part Of the Austrian nation,
particularly persons among the con-
stituency of the conservative Peoples.
Party, may preserve feelings of alle-
glance to their old dynasty, no respon-
sible Austrian politician thinks of rails
ing fundamental constitutional ques-
tions under the present dire necessities
Of the country. The existing federal
and republican constitution is recog-
nized by all Austrian parties as basis
for cooperation to heal the wounds in
ficted by war and foreign domination.
However, the insertion of . "Hapsburg
clause" into q treaty which is intended
to establish Austria's independence as
keystone of peace in Central Europe
soon may produce very contrary effects.
Interference Held Un-American.
First of all, interference with the in
ternal constitutional affairs of another
nation contradicts the traditional atti-
tude OF this country, which President
Monroe formulated in his famous
message: "Our policy in regard to Eu-
rope is not to interfere in the
internal concerns of any Of It's powers;
to consider the government de facto
as the legitimate government for u.s."
Before Monroe the great democrat
Thomas Jefferson had written in 1898
to the American minister In Paris:
1--WE surely cannot deny to any nation
that right whereon our own Government
is founded-that every one may govern
itself to whatever form it pleases" In
: the Atlantic Charter President Roose-
welt declared, together with Prime Min
lister Churchill, that the United States
and Great Britain respect the right Of
all peoples to choose the form of gov
ernment under which they will ive.'
The same principle is embodied in the
Charter Of the United Nations.
Regarding Austria, there is no visible
interest Of the United States involved
to restrict internal self-determination
as this may be in the cases of the ag-
gressor nations, Germany and Japan.
The Department of State has declared
its view of Austria as "a country lib
Grated from forcible domination by
Nazi Germany and not as an ex-enemy
state" Right Of internal self-deternni-
nation remains unabridged in the peace
treaties with italy. Romania and other
satellite enemy nations.
Austria = Friendly State.
AS to the Hapsb,rgs, who ceased to
rule Austria in 1918, they had no con-
nection whatever with Hitlers war, ex-
cept that they had to flee from Europe
and that their property in Austria was
confiscated by the Nazi invaders. Mem
bers Of the former reigning family Of
Austria took refuge in this country
during the war and their head was
received in most friendly manner by
President Roosevelt.
For the Austrian people, any denial
Of their inherent right to frame their
constitution as they may choose can
result only in q weakening Of their
faith in an independent national ex-
istence. -Germanists would take
new advantage Of this, as many Aus
trians-adherents Of the republican as
well as of the monarchical form Of
government-will remember Hitler's as
sertion of Austria's independence to be
only tool to make her people tributary
to foreign interests. Indeed, this would
be the most serious aspect Of the prob
lem-not Austrias independence, but its
proposed infringement. The treaty
with Austria will be signed also by
Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and other
East European states. Allegiance to
the Hapsburgs will not die out so soon
among a part of the Austrians. This
may lead from time to time to mani
festations. They cannot be suppressed
unless the Allies renounce securing for
Austria fundamental freedoms, includ-
ing freedom Of expression" as stipulated
in the peace treaties with the other
nations.
Risk of Communist Absorption.
A "Hapsburg clause" inserted into the
Austrian treaty might give a title of in
tervention in the domestic affairs Of
Austria to any signatory power when
ever this power might deem it proper
to utilize it. Causes of interference
would be found if they are only de-
sired and looked for. Ultimately that
clause would be instrumental in forcing
the Austrian nation into the Commu-
nist-Slav bloc
The initiative taken in London aim
ing at denial to the Austrian people
Of Its fundamental freedom to deter
mine its form of government is incon-
sistent with American ideals. Besides
there may be many an American who
will challenge the wisdom Of surrender
ing a valuable diplomatic instrument
to opowers which might use 1t to combat
American interests in strategic nerve
center OF Europe.
PETER BERGER, J.UD., Pol. Sc. ..
Professor of international Law and
Government at the Catholic Universi-
ty Of America.
Worker on Portal Argument
To the Editor OF The Star:
Every action has reaction.
1t Is interesting to note the reaction
Of the portal-to-portal suits on the