Europe v. "Dillinger"

The assassination of Austria's Chancellor and the mobilization of Italy's army exactly 20 years after Imperial Austria declared what grew into the World War sent U. S. stock values crashing down to their 1934 lows last week. Not to be caught napping in case Europe again went up in flames, editors from the Atlantic to the Pacific put their biggest blackest headlines over news from Vienna, Rome and Berlin and wrote solemn pieces on the coincidence of dates, the possibilities of conflict. In London the "American War Scare" was loftily pooh-poohed, but repercussions of the Dollfuss murder stirred the Great Powers and set statesmen toiling as they have not toiled in years to keep peace.

Germany. Official Germany was on edge with hope that the butchers of Engelbert Dollfuss would succeed in upsetting the Austrian Government. When they were clapped into jail Adolf Hitler had to work fast. Unfortunately the German Chancellor's duly appointed Inspector General for Austria, blustering Theodor Habicht, had said while broadcasting from Munich at the height of the excitement that Dollfuss' slayers were "returning" to Germany. That slip caused Chancellor Hitler to fire Herr Habicht from his job.

It was also necessary to fire the German Minister to Austria, well meaning Dr. Kurt Rieth, who had doubtless thought he was serving his Government when he undertook to dicker for the butchers and promised them safe entry into Germany. This blunder was irretrievable but it gave intuitive Chancellor Hitler one of his bright ideas. He has long been looking for a way to ease German Vice Chancellor Franz von Papen, protege and "best comrade" of President von Hindenburg, out of his Cabinet (TIME, July 9). Impulsively Chancellor Hitler dashed off an effusive letter, "requesting you, Dear Herr von Papen to aid ... in [bringing] back to normal and friendly paths our long unfortunate relations to the German Austrian State. ... I have, therefore, . . . proposed to the Reichspraezident [von Hindenburg] that you should be called temporarily to the post of Minister to Vienna as a special mission at the same time leaving the Reich Cabinet. Once again I thank you. . . ."

Glad to leave blood-purged Berlin, where he nearly became a "suicide" month ago, Franz von Papen packed up in haste for Vienna where the Austrian Government had by no means decided to accept him as persona grata. Ignorant or careless of diplomacy's rigid code, Chancellor Hitler had committed the unheard of blunder of dispatching an envoy without the prior consent of the nation to which he is accredited. This left Austria free to administer a stinging snub which would make Adolf Hitler the laughing stock of Europe. In Vienna it was said that Benito Mussolini was strongly urging Austria to snub Der Fuehrer.

Britain. So sacrosanct is the British week-end that Foreign Secretary Sir John Simon created a stir by letting it be known in London that, although he would not cancel his week-end in the country, he would keep in constant touch by wire with his Foreign Office. To the Commons Sir John announced in language elliptical but unmistakable that His Majesty's Government stands with Italy and France for the preservation of Austrian independence from Germany. London editors were unanimous in flaying the Nazi slayers, echoed the Evening Standard which declared that Germany is "the Dillinger of Europe."

King George: "Dastardly murder."

France. Recognizing Italy as the patron of Austrian independence, French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou called in Italian Ambassador Count Pignatti, told him France was ready to act with Britain and Italy in case of need. Premier Doumergue to the Austrian Government: ". . . Odious attempt. . . . France is firmly attached to maintenance of that independence."

Italy. Il Duce to the acting Austrian Chancellor, Prince von Starhemberg: "The independence of Austria has been and will be defended by Italy."

In all some 140,000 Italian troops were mobilized last week along or near the Austrian frontier, with squadrons of airplanes which droned ominously in the sky from morning till night. Said an official of the Italian War Office: "Even if nothing happens our forces will remain where they are for at least two weeks."

Belgium. Because Prince von Starhemberg comes of Austria's bluest blood and has always been considered a Legitimist, the pompous little Court of ex-Austrian Empress Zita in Steenockerzeel Castle near Louvain buzzed with a fury of preparation to pack off her handsome son Archduke Otto to Vienna as "Emperor" at the first opportunity. Sympathizing with Otto but anxious lest Belgium vex the Great Powers, King Leopold ordered every Belgian airfield watched. Officially the Belgian Government informed Zita's Court that she and her son are free to go, but only publicly. For years France bitterly opposed a Habsburg restoration in Vienna but Naziphobia among Frenchmen was rapidly bettering "Emperor" Otto's chances. Empress Zita. who never misses a trick, was among the first to send open condolences to bereaved Widow Dollfuss: "As a fellow sufferer with you and your children. . . ."

Papal State. Since the Austrian Chancellor had been a model of piety to all his country, seeking God's guidance in prayer before every important decision, the Supreme Pontiff was quick to say a special mass for Engelbert Dollfuss, denounced his "unspeakable murder" and telegraphed Austrian President Miklas:

"Having commended in our prayers the soul of this most beloved man to the clemencies of God, we implore heaven to grant true peace to the Catholic nation of Austria and we bestow upon it and upon you the Apostolic blessing in the fullness of our good will."

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