Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-07-01
The Police In Austria,

Vienna Correspondents OF the London Daily
Telegraph
The numerical insui6ciency Of the Vienna
police force having been demonstrated amply
during the recent disturbances in the suburb
of Men Lerchenfeld, important measures of
reorganization are at present contemplated.
The main object in view is to- render the po-
lice corps strong enough to be able to dis
pense, In cases Of emergency, with the sseis-
tsnce of the troops. Riots, such as occurred
last April, might break out in time of war,
when there would be no military help availa-
BILE, besides which there Is possible reluc-
tance on the part of the military authorities
to employ soldiers for the suppression of
civil disturbances in the large towns.
Among other drawbacks there is In Vienna,
as in all Austrian towns. stone pavement,
which renders q charge of cavalry almost
impossible. The horses. accustomed 10
msnsuvre on soft turf, alp on the hard
paving stones, and frequently fall or throw
their riders. At Nsu Lerohenfsld there were
numerous instances of this, and eventually
the cavalry was obliged to advance 90 eau
tiously that the mob had ample time to take
refuge In the aide streets till the charge was
over, when they deliberately returned to
their work OF destruction. The employ
ment of infantry to disperse q mob iucress-
es the risk of bloodshed. The authorities,
therefore, seem to have under consideration
the formation OF o mounted corps similar in
many respects to the Garde Republicaine of
Paris, that Is to say, constituting Q kiEd Of
reserve for the police, and organized on q
military footing, though quite distinct from
and independent of the army. There are at
present in Vienna and the suburbs about
i twenty ak hundred constables or guardians
of the peace for . population of over twelve
hundred thousand, which 10, Ia proportion,
considerably less than in Paris or Berlin. Il
Is true that the working GLASSES of Vienna
are more orderly and law abiding than either
the Parisians or Berliners; but that q spirit
Il of rebellion can be aroused among the least
respectable section Of them Was proved last
April. The new mounted guardians OF the
peace would be called "ToUn Gendarmery,n n
and most OF The important towns In Ausfris
would be provided with . sufficient number
to insure the maintenance of order under al
circumstances. A part Of the expense thus
incurred would be met by the different towns
themselves. II appears that In Paris the
state contributes only one-haf of the cost oi
the 0arde Republicaine. If some reform o!
this kind be carried out the Vienna poles
will be efficient In all contingencies.
The criminal investigation department
works admirably. It has been copied In sew
eral other large capitals, and. If am mo-
mistaken, Scotland yard has derived many
useful suggestions from the Vienna crimina
police system. Within the last twelve year
no great criminals have escaped detection II
Austria; indeed, the promptitude with whicl
; the police have laid hands on them has, IL
more instances than one, been quite fabu
lous. The system of surveillance in hotel
| and lodging houses all over the country In
wolves nothing vexatious or annoying for Re
spectacle people, while 10 is of the utmos
assistance to the police. It Is not sltogethe
/ confined to the Meidzettel, or bulletin of NJ
: rival, whereon every traveller, after takin
posssssion Of his room, is requested to writ
: his name; but Of what is done beyond ths
, to- ascertain the character and business G
| each new conner the latter never perceive
; anything. The police of Berlin and Rom
are occasionally les particular about ineer
veniencing strangers, though they are M
!. better informed than * of Vienna.
Q was said d the time Of th>n-.A Lszshsnfsl