AUSTRIA: Out

With dramatic suddenness which was a surprise to his colleagues, Dr. Ignaz Seipel, Roman Catholic prelate for more than two years Chancellor of Austria, resigned. He said that, while he was convinced that the majority Parties of the National Assembly were in agreement with the League of Nations’ reconstruction program, he felt that they did not support his measures for carrying out the program. He also referred to his decreased capacity for work since he was wounded last summer (TIME, June 9), said that, all things taken in consideration, he felt he must resign. He recommended that Dr.. Rudolf Ramek of Salzburg be his successor.

Next day, ex-Chancellor Seipel said:

“From now on, I am leader of the largest parliamentary Party, representing a majority of the people, and I consider it my duty in this position to support the Government in every way.” He hoped that the U. S. public would remain unshaken in its conviction that Austrian reconstruction would yet be carried out.

Dr. Rudolf Ramek, onetime Minister of The Interior, was duly appointed Chancellor. His Cabinet:

Vice Chancellor and Minister of Justice Leopold Waber Foreign Affairs Heinrich Mataja Finance Jakob Ahrer Social Administration Josef Resch Defence Karl Vaugoin— The new Chancellor then said that his policy would be substantially the same as Dr. Seipel’s.

—When Karl Vaugoin. also Defence Minister in Dr. Seipel’s Cabinet, was nominated, cries of “Monarchist!” disturbed the stillness of the Assembly. It was remembered that, after the War, he had had an abrupt manner of ridding the Arm}’ of Socialists and Communists.