As the outcome of the swiftest and most decisive drama in Europe Herr Hitler has succeeded with his policy of anschluss, with regard to Austria and that country to all intents and purposes will be an "independent" state under the domination of Austrian Nazis controlled from Berlin. The acceptance of Herr Hitler's demands by Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg in February—barely a month ago—practically amounted to a surrender of Austrian independence, though it is clear from subsequent events that Dr. von Schuschnigg imagined that he had, at least saved something out of the wreckage. However as the weeks passed it was made increasingly plain to him that in fact he had not, and it was with the idea of remedying the situation that he decided to hold the plebiscite. He wanted a mandate from the country empowering him to pursue the policy of that independence which had already been so rudely shattered; indeed he sought authority to retrace some of the steps he had been forced to take, It was a desperate endeavour to re-establish his authority which had commenced to wane from the moment he yielded to Herr Hitler's demands, backed. up as they were at Berchtesgaden by the grim presence of three German generals in the anteroom of the chamber in which the two statesmen conversed, and the Fuehrer's warning that disorders in Austria could not be avoided and that if they broke out Germany would march. It is clear from the European papers now to hand that the threat of armed intervention in the affairs of Austria was one of the main factors which forced Dr. von Schuschnigg to capitulate. All he succeeded in doing was to postpone the evil day, and, since Saturday, Austria has passed under the control of Herr Hitler who through the Austrian Nazis is just as supreme in the land of his birth as he has been for years past in the country of his adoption. There should be no doubt about it—Herr Hitler has secured a great triumph and has presented the chancelleries of the world with un fait accompli the full significance of which has yet to be realized, If the non; Nazi Austrians are to suffer under this drastic change which has been brought about they will not be alone. Italy, at all times since the war, has been seeking to prevent the heavy fist of Berlin falling on Vienna. Her policy in the Danube basin necessitated the retention of an Austria not only free from German influence, but definitely under that of Rome. Austrian Governments came into being, and depended upon Italian bayonets. There were weaknesses in these anti-German governments, the chief of which arose, firstly, from the fact that they were the creatures of a foreign Power, and, secondly, that Dr. Dolfuss, Dr. von Schuschnigg's predecessor, by his ruthless suppress sion of socialism in Vienna, had alienated the working classes. The accession of the Austrian Nazis to power under the protection of Germany means that the Italian policy has met with the completest defeat. It has been brought to a nullity, and it would not be rash to hazard the guess that within a comparatively short time the whole Danubian structure created by Italian diplomacy will be completely destroyed. The dominant partner in the Rome-Berlin Axis has completely triumphed in the case of Austria, and may be expected to make great efforts to achieve the same success in Czechoslovakia, which must be watching developments with anxious eyes. In Italy there will be grave anxiety also. Germany is now more dominant than ever, for beyond the Brenner Pass there now lies a country united to the greatest military Power in Europe. The idea of German soldiers on the Brenner is a nightmare, which, no matter what precautions can be taken, or agreements made with Germany, will now more frequently visit the imaginations of the Italian leaders. Italy is paying a high price for German assistance in her various ventures of the past few years, and the question may soon arise as to whether what she has gained may not turn out to have been purchased at a very exportionate price. The blow to her influence in Central Europe is a severe one, and that severity is emphasized by the fact that what has now been done stands only the very remotest chance of being undone.
The situation of Czechoslovakia is rendered all the graver by these developments. Since Austria can no longer be considered neutral in any issue between Czechoslovakia and Germany, the former will find herself completely cut off from her French ally by a ring of totalitarian states.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for France to give help to her friends in Central and eastern Europe, and the result will be that the tendency of Poland to come to terms with Germany will also be seen in Jugoslavia. Germany's drang nach sudan seems to be in a fair way to success. Not much more than four years ago, Sir John Simon declared that a portion of British policy was the independence of Austria. It is true that Whitehall and the Quai d'Orsay made their demarches last week too but with-cut any real effect, and it has been clearly demonstrated that the pursuit of fanciful objects of British policy in Europe can lead to no very substantial or satisfactory results.
On the other hand it should not be taken for granted that present developments must of necessity lead to war. Grave though that danger may appear to be, it was equally grave following the Berchtesgaden conversation. The independence of Austria will continue to be maintained by Germany in due form. The country will undoubtedly be administered by the Austrian Nazi government, and the fact that that organization will take instructions from Berlin need not necessarily lead to that war which all countries in Europe, at least for the present, desire to avoid. For that reason the developments of last week should not be regarded with too pessimistic an eye. It is true that Herr Hitler is making hay while the sun shines, and if in the process he does damage to Italian interests that seems to be more a matter of Italian concern than of any other nation. That is to be inferred from Herr Hitler's explanatory letter to Signor Mussolini, though whether it will in any way tend to allay Italian anxieties remains to be seen. The German frontier is on the Brenner and Italy is brought into uncomfortable proximity with the dominant partner in the Rome-Berlin Axis with all the possibilities that that situation may entail,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.