6 AUGUST 1927, Page 2

The Austrian Parliament finished last week its debate on the

disorders in Vienna, and on the whole the spirit. shown was satisfactory and promised peace and good will. Unfortunately, however, the Socialist City Council shows no signs of disbanding its " Republican Guard.". On the contrary, it passed last Saturday, against the protests of the _Christian Socialists, a resolution . con; stituting a permanent armed force of 1,000 men. Such': a constabulary, frankly a party force 'independent of the - official -police,. is something of a challenge to -the: Government: It ia. certain- to be taken as a challenge. by political opponents whose Ileimzvehr and Frontkampfer., in the provinces are likely to accept the challenge. • * * *