AUSTRIA AND PEACE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 53, 26 November 1917, Page 6

AUSTRIA AND PEACE

FAMINE AND PRIVATIONS BREAKING

(PEOPLE'S SPIRIT

NEW DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT

ARISING (By H. B. 0. Pollard.) (Per favour of the Royal Colonial Institute.) The peoples of Austria-Hungary have endured the misery of war for over three years and aro now foeling tho strain. For them (tho people, as apart from their governors) it has uover been a popular war, and at the close of the first year, when the natural ebullitions of Var-fevor had died down, the bulk of the nation began to wish themselves well out of it. The Austrian and Hungarian people find it difficult to discern any prospect of gain for themselves, after three years of ever-increas-ing stress. Austria has only overrun the territory of Serbia; she has suffered bitterly at the hands of Russia and Italy. Viewed from the point of view 'of an average _ Austrian, tho war has been a series of perfectly usoless sacrifices. Vast sufferings have been the lot of the people, and tho only visible result has beon the subjugation of the Dual Empiro to purely German interests. A business man cannot but resent such an extraordinary bad system of Government; a control which embarks upon the greatest war in history without any real, guarantees of success, and then, having tested the situation, still remains in°the war. It is fairly obvious to an Austrian that 'the old "Russian danger"—the only leally patriotic motive that the Austrians can adduce—is no longer in existence. Democracy has triumphed in Russia, and it is no. longer an Imperialist and. menacing country. Serbia has proved a barren conquest. The people of Austria-Hungary represent many differences in blood, in policy, and in degree of political development, but. tho one tiling upon which they are all agreed is iheir acuta need of peace. Every effort in the direction of peace, whether .from America before the intervention, or from the Vatican since tho United States joined tho Allies, has received a good reception, and the present ostrich attitudo of the Prussian Chancellor has been far more critically treated by the Austrian Press than by the hostile Press of the Allied Powers.

Germany Blamed for Their Misery. • The population of Austria as a whole ascribe the present misery of their existenco to their incompetent Government, and above all to German ambition. The whole policy of government ill. Austria has been a policy of repression, terrorism, and the sotting of nationality against nationality. Always subject to internal strain, the long duration of the war has brought matters to such an extreme pitch that the choice between peace and revolution cannot long be deferred. Tho death of Franz Josef and the promising character of tho young Emperor delayed internal developments. His promise of political reforms, his moderate statements on tho war,'problems, all served to delay the development; but a year's experieuce has not served to ameliorate tho condition of the people. To-day the question of peace is more important than the vital internal politics, and disorder is beginning to make itself felt all over the Empire. The attitude of tho German element in Austria is incredibly reactionary, and is largely supported by'tho largo Catholic conservative interests. Against them are tho ever-increasing forces of democracy, led by Socialism and organised Labour. Tbeso in normal times aro a powerful and hostile combination, but when they aro reinforced by the pressure of famine, pestilence, and the prospect of endless and absolutely pointless war, thoy become immeasurably more formidable.

The most rigid system of censorship, food control, police restriction and espionage, has done much .to suppress early and ill-timed revolts. The stranglehold of the German High Command over all tilings in the Monarchy lias provoked the bitterest feelings among the proud Czech and non-Ger-man elements, and these sentiments have now spread throughout the army and the long-suffering civilian populace.

Internal stresses Breaking Down. Little by little the internal stresses are breaking down the rigid system of discipline which has maintained AustroHungarian stability in the interests of the Germans, and against the aspirations of the subject nationalities who compose the bulk of the Empiro. Food demonstrations, peace demonstrations, political murders, and still more sanqniiiary suppressions of revolts, show which way the wind blows. As was to be expected, the more popular of recent disturbances in Austria took tho shape of anti-Jewish demonstrations which were particularly-violent in the country districts. The residents of small towns and villages have stormed and pillaged nearly all the Jewish shops amid scenes of amazing ferocity. So great was the desire for food and drink among the hungry_ people that several extraordinary incidents occurred among tho looters, who in ignorance ate of drank poisonous things by mistake.

For a while great districts were isolated, while the terror raged. Then cavalry were sent to quell the disturbances. They fired on the mobs and killed—nobody. Such things show how matters are in.Austria to-day.- The people and the soldiery—who are of tho people —are beginning to work out their own salvation. These pogroms against the Jews are but the beginning of greater movements, and daily the dread of tho gallows and of martial law grows less. Whether peace comes to Austria through ' the Vatican or tho Court, or comes as a red wave of social revolution, is all one to those who live in Austria in the poor estate of the middle classes or the masses. Peace and bread aro terms that are almost synonymous for them, and the slow deliberations of the stiff-necked German Court and Princes of the Church march slowly for hungry folk!