New-York tribune., 1872-07-04
AUSTRIA.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS.

THE PLAN OF PRINCE AUERSPERG-ILLIBERAL
COURSE OF THE MINISTRY IN THE NEW
ELECTIONS.
lFPOM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TmBUHBI
VIENNA, April 22.--At this moment, all the
thoughts, hopes and anxieties Of Austrian politicians
are concentrated on Bohemia. All other political con-
sidcraons arc eclpsed by the general impatlenco 20
know tho re t OF the elections for tho Prague Diet O
tbe many elections which have taken place In Austria
during the past five six years, not one mas peeh
watched with such interest and Is possible that none
will be followed by such important, such serious results
few preliminary words are necessary 10 e4paih 1no
special importance Of tho present election.
The Ministry which preceded that at present IN power
was called together for the ayowed purpose OF settling
the differences which existed between the Central Gov
ernnent and few OF the CisLeithan Provinces, ana
especially with Bohemia. The settlement OF these diner
ences was TO have obtained by granting to the Pro-
vinces larger degree OF autonomy ana independence
than they had yet pt sessed Federalism, or State SOW
erenty was then In the ascendant For many reasons
too numerous TO mention here, the Court party tho
clergy tho non.G German races OF the Cis-Lethah fro
yincos and even tho Emperor himself, were strongly
inclined TO the western half OF the EMPIRE OF a
least portion OF IT, into Federation OF States not dis
similar 70 the United States Of America but with larger
degree OF independence 10 tho individual States Ihe
Poles desired this, the Greeks camored for IT, tho
soyenos OF the South Coast had long expressed the same
wish; styrla and even the Tyrol favored it, only the
purely German population opposed to tho change
Count HOhenwart was inrusted with the carrying OUT
OF this programme, and, In fact went long
way toward fulfilling his mission. The Czochs OF
Bohemia, MOraya, and Slesia and the Poles OF
Gallcia had united their forces Hohenwart began his
negotiations with the leaders OF the former race. ana
the Emperor, who, by diverse means. became moro
directly responsible in this matter than had ever been
the case in former questions Of internal policy pledged
himself to recognize what he termed the "undcnable
rights" Of the Czechs and announced his intention OF
satisfying the compact by being crowned King OF 30
hemia in Prague. Affairs had reached this point, and
the Czcehs were almost derious with satisfaction and
Standardization, when the German party, l. e. the
Centraists which had opposed every step in the trans
actions assumed threatening attitude; Vienna,
Linz, Briinn aud the other large towns OF German
Austria gave such unmstakabe signs OF intended re-
sisance to tho innovation, and even the Hungarans ex
pressed such open dissatisfaction with changes which,
as they Justly sald would II carried out completely
alter the nature OF their connection and relations with
the western half Of tho Empire that the Emperor was
forced TO give way.
Hohenwart was dismissed tho system and principles
OF Federalism disayowed the Czechs were left to
sulk and TO growl and tho Germans triumphed. The
Poles who had been given by Hohenwart to understand
tatther case would be taken in hand Immediately after
tho Bohemlans had been satisfied saw their chance had
gone by and eyinced much the same feelings as ther
allies The Germans having obtained the upper hand u
became apparent that the next Ministry must DC com
posed Of men chosen from among them. 1t was also
evident that must be resOred TO- IN 0rder 10
secure the general representation Of the CisLethan
Provinces matter which had hitherto been rendered m-
possible by the anagonism Of the two great parties
Federalism evidently out OF the question; TWO
Cabinets had been wrecked in trying to introduce it;
therefore the Emperor with a good grace but much
against his inclination, accepted Ministry composed OF
thOrOugh-Going Centrss, and gave its leader Prince
Auersperg the same carte Jacbe with which he inrus
ted Uohenwart The first step the new direction was
taken at the opening Of the Chambers In speech TO
the members Of the Reichsrah, the Emperor expressed
hope that internal peace" would be assured through
the means winch his Government had IN view, and added
that this should be accomplished at the sacrifice of
the general rights Of the Empire to the individual desires
of the Provinces" This speech warmly received by
the German populations but it angerod the Czechs and
confirmed them In their intention Of following the policy
Of passive resistance which had recently 50 well sue
ceeded In Hungary
Prince Auersperg entered into negotiations with the
Poles before the opening OF the Parliament and prom
scd their leaders that Galica represented BY It's
proper quota OF members in the Relchsrath he would
mako certain concessions, and urge on both Houses the
proprety Of making certain Others The Lemberg Land
tag sent to Vienna, and this gave the
Ministry what no previous Government had had for fix
years. T. O.. o two-thrds majority IN the Reichsrath
With the aid of this majority, bill was passed which
would assist the Government in obtaining majority OF
voices In the Prague Diet If new elections were ordered
in Bohemia Also before the adjournment of the Rechs-
rath an ARRANGEMENT made with the Poles. III ls
sufficient to state here that the concessions granted to
Gacia fell far short of what the Poles originally re-
quirod and which Hohcnwart had promised them; the
ratification by the members of the Upper House and 10y
the Emperor has not yet been given, but VIII probably
follow Immediately after the reassembling OF Parla-
ment The situation, then, at the adjournment of
the Rechsrath month ago was as follows;
The Government had twothirds majority
in the Rechsrath understanding had
been made with Gaicia; every Province
was represented in the Central Parliament except
Bohemia, and a law had been passed which would
materially and the Centrali5s of Bohemia in obtaining
majority in the Prague Landtag If new elections were
ordered in Bohemia Bohemia only stood In the way OF
the complete realization Auerspergs programme, and
he considered his supporters in that Province would be
strong enough to gain majority II well supported by
himself and colleagues and backed by the new law. The
temptation very strong, but at the same time dc
feat would probably be disastrous especially the SYM
pahies OF The Emperor were with the other side. lie
only supported Auersperg while the latter held the win
ming hand and the influence OF all the Emperors rela
lations all the Court favorites and the Camaria would
be arranged against the Minister the Czechs gained
another electoral victory.
Auersperg determined to risk all, and recommended
the Emperor to issue decree ordering fresh elections
for Bohemian Landtag, and to dissolve the old Diet by
q simultaneous ORDER The Emperor hesltaeu at hrst
In three successive elections the Czechs had obtained
majority and he feared that another such victory would
only weaken and discredtthe Government and perhaps
reopen all the old dssens to purpose Auersperg
insisted aud is said went far as to promise major
iy favorable the Centrass The Emperor issued the
decrees and elections ordered for the 15th 2oth
and 22d of the present month This was exactly
month ago; the Ministers, the public au-
! thorities appointed by them lamong others the
| Governor of Bohemia), and the German supporters
OF the Cabinet have spent that month in preparations