The New Austria
The recognition of the Austrian Government under Dr. Renner by Britain, the United States, Russia and France marks Allied agree- ment in regard to one at least of the countries which were likely to be bones of contention, though Russia never had the same opportunities for controlling the whole situation there as in Rumania and Bulgaria. This formal act of recognition does not, of course, end the control exercised by the Allied Council for Austria, which will go on till a new agreement is reached between the occupying Powers, nor does it carry with it any final settlement of disputed frontiers. But this is no mere face-saving accord arrived at, as in Rumania, through promises to broaden the basis of an artificially created Government ; Dr. Renner's leadership rests upon the victory of the Austrian People's Party in the elections—a party which has demonstrated its strength not only by securing an absolute majority in the national Parliament, but also in seven regional Parliaments out of nine. This much at least is satisfactory to all the occupying Powers, that the victorious party has taken its stand on the inde- pendence of Austria as a State which is in no sense a German State. Dr. Renner asserts that the population is bent on sweeping away the "spiritual rubble" left behind by the Nazi regime. Pending a broader European settlement, the old frontiers are maintained. Yugoslavia is claiming parts of Carinthia, Austria the restoration of the South Tyrol. In this region it remains to put right one of the wrongs done in 1919.
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