NEWS OF THE WEEK
AUSTRIA is passing through critical days, and she should not be left in doubt of the interest of this country in her fortunes. Dr. Schuschnigg's speech on February 24th, his first public reference to the Berchtesgaden conversations, was couched in language which compels admiration. He spoke of the conversations as conducted definitely and specifi- cally within the framework of the agieement of July, 1936, whereby Germany unequivocally recognised, and undertook to respect, Austria's independence. To that Herr Hitler is publicly pledged, and Dr. Schuschnigg, as he should and must, assumes that the undertaking will be honoured. Accor- ding to the Austrian Chancellor the changes he made on his return from Berchtesgaden cover all the ground, and nothing further is in contemplation. The situation, nevertheless, is full of uncertainty. There is reason to believe that the new Minister of the Interior, Dr. Seyss-Inquhart, is, in spite of his Nazi sympathies, a good Austrian, by no means reconciled to the sacrifice of his country's independence. But the Nazis in certain centres like Graz and Linz are dangerously ebullient and the Chancellor is in obvious difficulties. If he fails to take action against them his authority is destroyed ; if he does, and meets with resistance, Herr Hitler may seize the ex- cuse for sending troops in " to prevent Germans from fighting Germans." A great deal may depend on Dr. Seyss-Inquhart's loyalty and his capacity to enforce obedience on his fellow- Nazis.
