The New York herald., 1871-11-17

An Austrian Coup Asaisst Bshenis's Cen.
stitutionaI s3rsssle.
The Bohemian Diet remains firm In Its
refusal to send Parliamentary Deputies to the
Austrian Reichsrath in Vienna. The assump-
ton OF this provincial position puzzles and
annoys the imperial Cabinet The Ministry
of the Emperor discussed q proposition
having in view to throw the electoral
franchise open to the whole people OF
Bohemia, 80 that they may nominate ana
choose representatives to the national legsla-
ture without the interference of the members
OF the Diet. The plan was approved, and the
imperial decree ordering the elections by the
people of Bohemia to take place imme-
diately was received 10 Prague from
Vienna yesterday evening The official
notices authorizing the action were issued.
1t is hazardous experiment; one
which may prove exceedingly disastrous
to the constitution Of Austria. In order
to right one Parliament the Ministry has
done great wrong against the independ-
ence OF another. A general ballot or
ptebsscite in Bohemia may not produce the
desired result. 1t may, indeed, work in the
opposite direction. A free vote has frequently
scattered the calculations of the most astute
politicians. The British government at one
time accorded an almost universal suffrage to
Ireland by giving the right OF voting at
Parliamentary elections to class Of men
known as the forty shilling freeholders-
persons who qualified as electors on land
holding income worth two pounds sterling.
They were corrupted by the landlords, and Tor
very many years supported English interests.
When great public Agitator moved for the
attainment Of Catholic emancipation, subse-
quent to the union, he won his first election
to Parliament mainly through the instru-
mentality of this very body Of freeholders.
The s'forties"' went with him to man. They
were almost Immediately disfranchised by law,
even before he gained his grand object IN
the House Of Commons, and that, too, with
the consent and advice of majority Of the
Catholic prelates Of Ireland The Catholic
aristocracy wanted liberation, but they feared
radcalism. Universal suffrage can be made
to work both ways ia Bohemia;
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Another Protest from the Pope.
The Holy Father, as will be seen from our
cable dispatches Of this morning, is not yet
tired of protesting. Another protest is threat
ened. This time he seems to have good
case in hand Much as we believe in the
rights of the Italian people, We cannot close
our eyes TO the fact that the Pope has some
rights which the Italian government particu-
larly and the world generally are bound to
respect. We believe we express sentiment
which is general when we say that there was
something of the cruel, something which re-
called the harsh policy Of the rough times Of
bluff King Harry, Of uxorious memory, In the
recent occupation OF the converts and the con-
scquent expulsion Of the nuns by the Italian
government. Another source Of pain to the
Holy Father was the occupation Of the Palace
of the Quirinal-a palace associated in history
with many important Papal elections. The
Pope, it is said, is about to make an appeal to
the European Powers, protesting against GER
tain acts Of the Italian government as viola
tions of international law and of the rights
and dignities of the countries concerned. The
occupation of the nunneries and the forcible
suppression and closing of certain interna-
tional religious houses will form part Of the
complaint. 1t will not surprise US to learn
that Cardinal Antouelli has hit upon course
of policy which will prove source Of trouble
to the Italian government. If there has been
any violation Of the principles Of justice the
Pope does well to protest, and we have no
doubt al all that il good case is made out
it will command the sympathy of the peoples
to an extent which viii compel the interfer-
ence of the governments. Tae Italians must
have Rome for their capital but the public
sense of mankind will insist that the rights Of
individuals and of associations mnst be re-
spected.
THE ANGLO AMERICAN CLAIMS COMMISSION