The New York herald., 1871-11-09

literature renders to civilization by granting
the fullest protection to foreign authors. Such
course would eventually be of great service
to ourselves BY encouraging the growth Of
native literature.
Tho Austrian Constitutional Crisis-Is the
Great Struggle Beguns
The resignation Of the Austrian Chancellor
Won Beust marks sort of climax in the con-
been going on in the Austrian dominions.
When, after the battle of Sadowa, Won Beust
transferred his services from the King of
Saxony to the Emperor of Austria, 1t was felt
and admitted that the policy of the empire
was radically and permanently changed
and that the House of Hapsburg-
Lorraine had entered upon new career.
The recognition Of the independence and
sovereign rights of the Hungarian kingdom
was the first great step in the new departure.
Hungary got what she fought for in vain In
1S48, and what she never ceased to demand in
the interval. Autonomy was granted her;
and Francis Joseph, with all the surround
ings of pageant which recalled the memory
of the Middle Ages, went through the for
mality of q coronation and accepted the crown
of st. Stephen.
The change seemed to work well. Hun
gary, so long source of weakness to the
empire, became at once tower Of strength.
Won Beust had given Austria new lease of life,
II is an old saying, however, that
when the stone is set rolling at the summit
it gathers impetus as it rolls. 1t was
not the intention Of Won Beust or of
the Imperial Council, when autonomy was
granted to Hungary, that autonomy should be
granted to each of the seventeen States which
constitute the western portion Of the empire.
But the stone had been set rolling. What
was SO good for Hungary ought not to be SO
bad for Bohemia, for Gallicia and for the 9th er
Western Provinces. Gallicia was kindly dealt
by, and the concessions made to the Poles in
the matter Of local self-government and in the
matter Of schools and colleges were followed
by the most bene6eent results; In course 81
time Count Hohcnwart cs1as Into power ~
chief Of the Cis-Leithan administration, as
Count Andrassy was Of that of Hungary.
In Count H9hsnwart the separatists found
& convenient and useful instrument. Francis
Joseph came completely under his influence,
and when, some few weeks ago, the local Diet
Of Bohemia was opened, the address of the
Emperor, which was read to the assembled
deputies, promised to Bohemia all that Hun
gary had obtained. Directly on this announce
ment the centralists, who include in their
ranks the entire German population of the
empire, and who have besides the unqualified
sympathy of the Hungarians, gave vent to
burst Of aercest indignation. It WAS found
that the government had been playing into the
hands Of the Czechs In the most shameful man.
ner, that the liberal members Of the Bavarian
Diet had absented themselves when they dis
covered that the proceedings were not to be
conducted within the limits Of the imperial
constitution, and that the Czech deputies In
their absence had coolly and with much delib-
Grafton framed new constitution-not for
Bohemia alone, but for the whole western part
of the empire. The trouble has increased.
The Emperor has since demonstrated with
the Czechs. Count Hohenwart has found
it necessary to resign. And now, from
causes not quite so apparent or so
Ineligible, Won Beust gives up the task
which he undertook, first of all, as many
think, to annoy Bismarck, which for time
seemed TO be full of promise, but which has at
last proved complete failure.
The situation of Austria to-day is very much
what would be the condition Of Great Britain
If some body of audacous Irishmen met in
Dublin and framed new constitution for Ire
land and for Scotland and England as well.
1t deserves to be borne in mind, as illustrating
the daring Of the Czechs that in Bohemia
there are at least two millions of Germans as
against three millions of Czechs. 1t may now,
we think, be taken for granted that Francis
Joseph will have to 60 back upon his word
and that he will not be crowned King of Bohe-
mia. Won Beust is surely to blame for allow
ing the promise to be made; for It is difficult
to see how 1t could be made without his full
knowledge and consent. II is not impossible
that herein lies the secret of his resignation.
What Is to follow? Will the Czechs and
their other Sclavic friends submit or will they
rush into open revolt2 Should revolt be
attempted Hungary will act with the Germans
and fight vigorously for the integrity Of the
empire. The Gastein and Salzburg confer
ences have secured for Austria the assistance,
in such an emergency, of the whole strength
Of the German empire. The Czechs and the
Sclaves, but not the Poles, may appeal to
Russia. If Russia hears and obeys their call
the great struggle Is begun which is destined
to convuse the world and to change the face
of Eastern Europe.