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THE AUSTRIAN PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
Onpril the formation of an "Austrian Provisional Government" In Vienna was announced through Soviet channels and the new regime assumed office on the following day. It has not been and apparently will not be immediately recognized by Great Britain and the United States. In this former enemy country there has been no opportunity to testunder Military Government by holding local elections, or to Insure the existence of law, order, and free expression of opinion as the basis for the establishmentational administration.
The new "government" appears to correspond roughly with the prevailing political complexion of the country. The ministers who have been selected are not puppets but party members of long standing, with creditable records in their Individual fields. The Christian Socialare notably all from the party's left wing; none havethemselves by important connections with the former regimes of Dolliuss or Schuschnigg. On the other hand, since the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense (both of which are held by Social Democrats) will be of little consequence for .some time, the key posts (Interior and Education) are in Communist hands
The prominence of the positions held by Communists reflects both Soviet sponsorship and the Increased importance of the AustrianRecent Intelligence has confirmed the fact that the Commtnusts are considerably more numerous today than during the firstepublic, when they represented only an Insignificant minority.It Is questionable whether this increased strength alone would have won the same positions for the Communists.
Ths establishment of this "provisional government" seems to violate the spirit, if not the letter, of the Moscow and Crimea Declarations. Technically the Soviets may argue that they have not themselvesrecognition to the new Austrian "provisional government" Actually this "government" has been established with their support and could only have taken office with their consent
The Soviets have taken two steps to try to make the fait accompli appear more palatable and more consistent with prior Allied agreements. The Moscow Declaration had made lt clear that Austria's treatment would depend on the Austrians' contribution to their own liberation. Up to now, most reports have agreed that such effort would not be of significant proportions. Sincepril, however, the Soviets havestressed and praised the role of Austrian resistance movements in expelling the Nazis In this fashion the Soviets have sought to provide
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a "legal" bails for tbe quick giftprovisionalecondly, by dividing the Cabinet posts among the three major parties and byew formerly prominent figures for these posts, the Soviets have sought to anticipate criticism that the "government" was
Available reaction from Austrian exile groups In Great Britain and the United States suggests that, while most non-Communists deplore the methods by which the "provisional government" has beenthey are prepared to adopt an attitude of full or acquiescent support. Since these expressions have been made prior to official action by Great Britain and the United States, they may later be modified In the light of the stand taken by the Anglo-American Governments.
The Austrian "provisional government" follows the pattern used in Czechoslovakia. Headedhancellor or chief of state. It comprises three ministers without portfolioocialhristian Socialommunist)abinet of ten ministers (five Social Democrats, four Christian Socials, three Communists, and two non-party men).
The Chancellor, Dr. Karlyear-old Social Democrat,ormerormer Secretary of Foreignember of Parliament both under thend under the first, he was president of the Satirmalrat (the National Assembly or lower house) at Intervals under the Republic until the establishment of the DoUfuss regime inr. Renner retired to his country home In GloggnlU He can probably best be classifiedight-wing Socialist. Dr. Renner has been criticized for his decision8 to declare that he had always favored Anschluss, In exchangeazi promise to accord lenient treatment to his old friend, Robert Danneberg. The Nazis made political capital of Renner's statement, but Danneberg diedoncentration camp.
In view of Dr. Renner's age, it appears certain that his advisors, tbe three ministers without portfolio, will be tbe dominant element In the new regime. They are Dr. Adolph Schaerf (Socialeopold Kunachak (Christiannd Johann Koplenlgyear-old lawyer, was considered one of the most influential politicians during the period. Named secretary to Karl Seitz, the Mayor of Vienna.e was subsequently appointed secretary of tbe Austrian Social Democratic delegation In the Austrian Parliament and3 was elected Federal Councillor of Vienna He retired from political life to practice law, following DoUfuss' assumption of powerunschakyear-old saddler who founded the first Christian Social workers association2 and was the leader of the Christian Social Party under the firstember of the Vienna City. the. and the, he was elected to the Presidency of the Christian Social Partyunschak served as State Councillor under both the DoUfuss and Schuschnlgg regimes but notolitical capacity and therefore Is not regarded as compromised by these associations.year-old
shoemaker, hasember of the Communist Party In Austria sincend was the Party's chairman. When the Party was outlawede went to Moscow and organized the Austrian Communist emigrants in the USSR For many years heember of the Central Committee of the now officially disbanded Comintern.
Most of the other members of the new regime have had prominent careen and well-established political affiliations. Minister of Rational Defense Franz Winterer,ocial Democratis present political leanings areon-commissioned officer In the Austro-Hungarlan Army during World War I, he remained with the Volkswehr (the Army of the Republic) afterwards andaptain4 he was placed in the embarrassing position of ha ring to lead his troops against the antl-DoUfuss Republican Defense Corps IRepuiXtkanlschere was also active In the Social Democratic Outing Club "Diefter the Germanof Austria8 he was called up into the German Army and was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Minister of the Interior Franzyear-old ex-miner, has for many yearsember of the Communist Party and Communist town councillor of Oruenbach.4 he was active In the leftist underground movement against Dollfusa and was arrested and sent to prisonater he escapedoncentration camp and went to Moscow where heropagandist for the Austrian Communist Partyember of the Free Austria Movement for Styrla and Carlnthia.
Minister of Justice Josef Geroe, for many years public prosecutor in Vienna,year-old non-party man. Dr. Geroe participated in the trials of Dollfuas' murderers and was sent to the Dachau concentration camp by the Nadsinister of Finance George Zimmerman, another non-party man, held several minor positions In the Finance Ministry under the first Republic and4 was appointed chiefranch In the Ministry. He
Minister of Agriculture Rudolphcrnocratlc Austrian Peasant leader, was for manyember of the National Assembly andeld this same Cabinet post. Hehristian Social,loae collaborator of the late Governor Relther of Lower (North) Austria who was killed by the Nazis at Dachau.
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Transport Eduardas been active in the Christian Social Party since his youth. Member of the Assembly, he several tunes was Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry under the first Republic. Former president of the Austrian Broadcasting Company and the Vienna Fair, he retired from political life under the Dollfusa regime because of Dollfuas' fascist ideology.
Minister of Instruction and Religion Ernst Fischerocial Democratic editor and writer2 when he led the Party's left-
wing Young Socialists in opposition to DoUfuss. Following DoUfuss' coupischer fled to Czechoslovakia, Joined the Communist Party, and went to Moscow to become the chief commentator on AustrianHe isears old.
Minister of Food Andreasyear-old Social Democrat. Is an outstanding expert in the fields of food supply and the cooperative movement and the author of numerous articles In these fields. He hasirector of the Association of Austrian Consumers' Cooperatives but ha* not been politically active In the Social Democratic Party. He is aboutears old.
Minister of Public Welfare Johann Boehmyear-oldworker and Social Democrat, who was an active organizer of the Trade Union of Construction Workers and of small farmers In Burgen-land. Heember of the National Assembly.
Minister of Building and Reconstruction Julius Raabyear-old architect and engineer who for many years served as president of the powerful Association of Austrianember of the National Assembly for several years priore served as Minister ofunder Schuschnlgg and was deputy president of the FederalCouncil.
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