Problem przynależności państwowej Vorarlberga po I wojnie światowej
Streszczenie
Vorarlberg was a small (2600 km2 i 144 000 inhabitants), most Western land of Austria-Hungary. After the breakup of the Habsburg Monarchy the population of Vorarlberg tended
to join Swiss Confederation. Incorporation into wealthier neighbour state was regarded as
a possibility to avoid postwar extreme poverty that threatened German Austria. The inclination
towards unification with Switzerland grew and achieved its top in May 1919, when the
plebiscite was organised. 80% of people voted for joining the Swiss Confederation.
The Swiss government (Federal Council) was very reserved towards the Vorarlberger’s
steps. They did not say „no” because they were afraid of incorporation that land into
Germany. It must be stated clearly th at the German influence and propaganda in Vorarlberg
grew. Berlin knew the Entente will forbid the Anschluss of whole Austria but did not expect
any problem in incorporation of a small land. It was very important strategical point of
Europe. The Auswärtiges Amt regarded it as "a key to Austria". Its incorporation to
Germany would threaten the Swiss strategical position and take back very large part of Swiss
income that was received from railway payments (France would not be interested to use the
Swiss railways in communication with the East if the ommiting of German ones would not
be possible after the annexation of Vorarlberg). The Federal Coucil was also affraid of
national ideas, namely uniting all Germans in one country.
But the Bern government did not say „yes” as well. They regarded the internationally
recogniscd neutrality as a priority. And the neutrality was concerned with the strictly
determined borders. The Federal Council did not want to lose of neutral status connected
with the change the Swiss territory. They also would not want to pay reparation forced on
Vorarlberg. The change of national and denominational ballance was vigorously discussed too.
But basically the Federal Council did not want to weaken Austria, because such steps could
force her to join Germany. All those reasons decided that the Swiss government waited and
delay all declarations connected with Vorarlbergers’ will. In such circumstances the Peace
Conference in Paris maintained Vorarlberg as a part of the Austrian Republic.
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