The Danger in Austria A new outburst of Nazi outrages
in Austria itself is probably intended primarily to increase the difficulties of the Government by keeping tourists away—a deliberate and wanton fouling of their own nest by people who after all are Austrian citizens. No serious damage has been done so far, but the situation is critical, and Dr. Dollfuss has instituted a new force, the Ortswehr, of the nature of a special constabulary, to cope with it. The Austrian situation is closely linked with the whole European situation, for a stroke that put a Nazi regime in power in Austria, with or without active assistance from Germany, would provoke resistance by half Europe. Herr Hitler, who is a good deal of a realist, hardly wants that, and he might be willing, in certain circumstances, to put a check on the Austrian Nazis. Some weeks ago there were rumours of a deal which would involve the entry of two leading Nazis, on conditions, into Dr. Dollfuss' Cabinet. The obstacles to that are greater now than they were, but the possibility is not completely ruled out. Austria no doubt has been the chief subject of discussion between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini at Stra, and the German dictator has taken so sober a view of the Polish and the Saar problems that it is conceivable even yet for him that he may say the word that would give peace to Austria.
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