New Government

Moscow lifted its blackout of news from Austria. A terse Tass dispatch from Vienna reported: a conference of Austrian political parties had proclaimed a new "Austrian Provisional Government." Chancellor and Foreign Minister was aging (74) Dr. Karl Renner, veteran Social Democrat, head of the Austrian peace delegation in 1919, first Chancellor of the Austrian Republic (1919-20). Thirteen other Cabinet posts were parceled among a coalition of Social Democrats (four), Christian Social (four), Communists (three) and Independents (two).

The organization of the new government resembled others in Russian-occupied Europe. The Communists had always been a minuscule party in Austria. Now they held three key government posts. Party workhorse Johann Koplenig, an old-time Communist, was one of three Councillors to the Chancellor. Franz Honner, another Party stalwart, was given the strategic Interior Ministry (police). Smooth-talking Ernst Fischer held the Ministry of Education and Religion, where he would dispense propaganda and handle Catholic Austria's relations with the Vatican. This Communist trio (all just returned from exile in Moscow) seemed the real power behind Dr. Renner.

Russian commentators hastened to say that the new government was formed within the framework of the Big Three's 1943 Declaration on Austria. U.S., British and Russian Foreign Ministers had agreed that Austria "shall be liberated from German domination" and made "free and independent" again. But Soviet spokesmen said nothing of a Big Three understanding that Austria would be administered by a U.S.British-Russian Commission until her future was determined.

The fait accompli in Vienna was timed with the arrival of U.S. troops at the Austrian frontier. It extended Russian influence to the Swiss borders. But Washington and London promptly let Mosow know that they had no intention of recognizing the new Austrian regime.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.