July 27.
A situation of the utmost gravity has arisen in Europe as the result Jof the Austrian Nazi coup which has resulted in the murder of Dr. Engelbert Dollfuss. At the time of writing it would appear that "the Jmovement which resulted in the slaying of the little man, whose greatness must be measured by other standards than his stature, Jamounts to no more than the suecessful carrying out of a plot to remove a man who has been a stumbling block in the way of the Austrian Nazis, and those in Ger-Jmany who have been actively backing them in a manner which has called for repeated protests {from the Austrian Government. It is nothing but plain, horrible assas-Jsination which passes the power of words adequately to condemn, Doll-fuss was actuated in what he did by the best possible motives. He was seeking to serve the interests of his country in the way he found most agreeable to its needs, whole-heart-fedly, with a lion-like courage out all proportion to the small frame [which housed so great @ soul and lhe has been cut down by the foul hand of murder as loathsome in its jeonception as it was cowardly in its execution. These words are not written merely because Dr. Dollfuss happens to be the victim of a das-hardly bullet, they would be equally applicable df it were Herr Hitler who had thus been made to suffer. The sane people of the world abhor political murder because of its futility. It will be futile in this Instance. Immediately into the [perilous shoes of the fallen Chan-feeller, there has stepped another man, a Roman Catholic, a monarichist, and a man whose courage 1s }proved by the readiness with which he assumed the responsibilities Jwhich acceptance of office entailed. Human fortitude is not scared by the assassin's bullet; it rises superior to fear, follows the dictates of duty Jborn of conviction and braves the coward in his very teeth. The }world has now to take farewell of romantic figure in the person of Dr. Dollfuss, whose passing will enrich the world by the splendour of his example and leave it "stirred jup with high hopes of living to be brave men and worthy patriots, dear to God and famous to all ages."
It was but three days ago that reference was made in this column to the delicate situation prevailing jin Europe as a result of the determined German push towards the achievement of the anschluss dear to those who have adopted the [Teutonic ideal in its entirety, and it was pointed out what grave [developments were likely to follow upon anything in the nature of a disturbance which might have for its end the union of Germany and Austria. This tragedy in Vienna has brought the arguments hen used home with telling force, and Europe stands at this moment clo: to the verge of war than at time during the last sixteen years Italy will not tolerate the achlevement of German designs concern-jing the Danube. It is stated that Ishe nas sufficient troops on the border to take military action it necessary, though fortunately she is unlikely to do so unless in agreement with France and Great Bri-In France developments are being watched with the gravest anxiety. "The situ the greatest vigilanc In Great Britain the effect of what is happening in Austria is being watched mast closely, and, obviously, with Jan uneasiness arising from a full Jappreciation of the gravity of the situation which has been accentuate led with these recent happenings. The state of affairs Bas passed from the delicacy which was commented Jupon but three days ago, and has Jassumed a complexion the seriousness of which can in no way be discounted. It is conceivable that every effort will be made on the part of Great Britain, France and Ttaly to prevent a breach of the present attenuated peace. The leaders of those countries would be lacking in responsibility it every endeavour were not made to preserve the present scant remnants of stability which are still to be found the European situation. Undoubtedly the patience of all will be strained to the utmost if 1924 is, not to be ushered out in another jweller of blood, and hideous imjmolation upon the lap of the Moloch of war.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.