The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1927. THE AUSTRIAN SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1927. THE AUSTRIAN SITUATION.

The upheaval in Austria is a mattei of general concern. Its juxtaposition to Russia, combined with the fact that aft'aiis in Roumania, owing to the death of tlie King, adds to the possible pregnancy of the European situation at this stage. The world is very much upset in these days of strange happenings in which violence pays so prominent a part. It is difficult to gunge the excesses of human nature at times, and to account for the impelling force which drives men in well-organised bands to upset law and order often for visionary or very extreme ideals. The unrest and unsetti'eiiient in all parts of the world is a very disquieting product of the times, and even the great Powers which might lead or he an impelling force to regard national order and security as of first importance, are doubting each other, and creating a period of serious unrest as to possibilities. if not probabilities, by their handling of international issues of farreaching importance in assuring both the peace and prosperity of the world at large. However, as regards Vienna,

though reports that appear to be reliable assert that the general strike lias broken down, and that the rioters arc now well under control, the simalion in Austria continues precarious and alarming. If it i, true that the Mayor of Vienna himself announced a general si riko. with the object of coercing the Government into dismissing the Chief of Police, and refused to rail out the troops to assist in maintaining order, we may conclude that even though this first outbreak of violence has been 111 u■ 11 e d those who fear the ascendancy of ( onimunism in Vienna have good ground for anxiety. There are rumours of widespread disaffection and revolutionary activity in various parts of the country. It is natural, however, that Vienna should be the centre ol the storm. For this great city, now shorn of milch of its ancient splendour, lias been grievously alllicted bv the loss of its Imperial status and the collapse of the industrial and social life on which its millions once depended for support. 'The majority of the Viennese are •strong Royalists, devoted to the traditions of the House of Hapshurg. Blit having lost their Emperor, they are

disillusioned and leaderless, and are in no condition to make headway against the ceaseless and insidious machinations of Communism. As the years pass it is becoming increasingly evident. considers (lie Auckland "Star,” that the Powers committed a grave error in judgment when they decided not only to dismember the Austrian Empire, hut to leave the new Austria poor and helpless and entirely isolated from Germany. The people of Austria to-day are practically all German, and they therefore had a very strong ease for union with their North German kinsfolk on racial and nationalist lines. The Allies, fearing that the union ot Germany and Austria Plight create a dangerously powerful’ State la Central Europe, have refused to accept this solution of Austria’s difficulties. But if Vienna "goes Bolshevik.” Europe may speedily be called upon to rate far more serious dangers than tills.