The morning call., 1893-03-13
PURPOSES OF FRANCIS JOSEPH.

The story of the intended abdicatiOn of
the Emperor of Austria is quite likely TO be
true. Francis Joseph is 63 years old and
has been foriy-four years on the throne. II
has not been bed of roses, and since the
Vetzera tragedy his life has been one of
sorrow. He is a kindly man, who found
himself in early life placed In an uncon-
genial post. and spent many years in doing
things of which his conscience disappToved
and at which his sense of justice revolied.
When he came to the throne at the age of
10 he found Austria subject to the worst
form Of absolutism under the government
of his uncle, Ferdinand, and his Minister,
Metternich. Errors of policy. perseyered in
at a time when political education was
spreading and aspirations for liberty were
universal, led 10 the outbreak OF 1913. which
frightened Metternich into resignng. Then
followed in rapid succession the insurrec-
ton at Vienna, the uprising in Italy, the
attempted revolution in Hungary. These
murmurings compelled the resignation of
Ferdinand himself, and Francis Joseph
ascenGed throne which looked as if ii was
falling TO pieces. 1t would probably have
collapsed but for the help which Austria
got from Russia and for the dissensions
among the Hungarian boyar DIS. But luck
favored the young Emperor. His enemies
defeated themselves, and in 1850 he found
himself seated on throne which seemed
secure and ruling over people who seemed
contented.
From that time the Emperor has com
mitted mistakes which were inadequaIely
punished and were tardily redeemed by re-
pentance. Six years after the Russians
had saved the joint empire he turned
against them in tina Crimean war, and,
though he did not actually send an army to
serve with the allies. he compelled Russia,
by an ultimatum, to conclude peace, deed
for which the vindictive Muscovite viii
never forgive Austria. Four years after
that he refused to make the concessions to
Italy which had become inevita Bile; the re-
suit was war in which France won all The
glory and Austria all the shame. Lom-
bardo- Nenetia recovered her liberty ana
Italy was lost TO Austria forever. A little
foresight might have saved the empire the
humiliation. So again, later, il was per-
fecty evident that the Austrian occupation
of the nOn-contlgnous territory of H0lstein
was sure to lead to a war between Austria
ard Prussia. When it did, the battle of
Sadowa destroyed Austria's military pres
tiGe and made Prussia the foremost power
in Germany.
1t was after this war that Francis Joseph
broke with the traditions of the empire and
placed a Protestant, Count Yon Beust, at the
bead Of his Cabinet. The regeneration of
Austria, the abandonment of absolutst
methods and the cessation of Government
interference with individual liberty date
from that event. From being the narTowest
despotism in Europe the empire became one
nf "a rof ct ft1ri 81 Ra
fore 1866 travellers only visited the Austrian
dominlons as matter Of duty; after that
year there we're n cities more delightful to
live in than Vienna an6 Pesth-Ofen. A vast
development of commerce and industry was
simultaneous.
Whether Austria was well advised when
it became a member of the Dreibund may
be a question. To the American mind the
conclusion OF a treaty offensive and de-
fensive between Germany, Austria and
Italy against France. when France had DO
quarrel with the two latter and was inceused
against Germany only, appears to be an
undertaking which might involve Austria
and Italy in loss, aud could 1T possibly
yield them any profit. Il looks Ike a remi-
niscence of the ancient times, when mon
arch involved his country in war because a
personal friend had got into trouble, Be
fore very long the expense of keeping On
foot the army and navy required by the
provisions Of the Dreibund viii require
Italy 10 withdraw from the treaty. What
Austria will DO is not clear. She must keep
large army on foot to maintain her author
ity in her incoherent dominlons. But if
war should break out, and Austria, by
taking Germany's side against France,
should tempt Russia into the fight on
Frances side. she might lose considerable
prestige and territory on the Danube with
out any cOmpeusating advantage.
Francis Joseph has no son and in the
event of his abdcation the throne would go
either to one of his brothers or to his eldest
daughter. The Reichsrath would have
something to say in the matter. In the
times in which we live a monarch cannot
bequeath his throne as he can his snuffbox.