The morning call., 1893-06-09
THE AUSTRIAN GAUNTLET.

count halnokyS speech 10 lne AuStro-
Hungarian Parliament happens oppor-
tunely for the aspirations Of Emperor
William. The Count did not say much,
but what be did say is susceptible of
grave Interpretation. When Napoleon
Ill, addressing the Austrian ambassador
on New Years DAY. 1859. regretted that
Frances relations with Austria were not
as good as he wished, there was no blood
and thunder in the sentence, but every one
knew that it meant war. So now when
the Austrian Premier says that the rela-
tions between Austria and Russia are i'm
proved the statement in itself contains
nothing alarming. but in Germany it Is
regarded as foreshadowing the dissolution
OF the Dreibund, and the German Govern
ment organs use it as an argument in favor
of the proposed increase in the army.
1t will be remem bered that the Dreibund
was originally a secret treaty between
Austria and Germany which was signed
in 1879 Italy became party to the treaty
shortly afterward. Its purpose was to
secure the status quo in Europe by force of
arms, and the powers against which it was
directed were France and Russia. The
treaty was to last SIX years; when it eX-
pired in 1885 it was renewed, and when it
again expired in 1891 it was again re-
newed for six years more. which will
expire in 1897. But no one needs TO be told
that treaties last just as long as the parties
to them desire; when they cease to suit
they are broken without ceremony. Just
before the war which eliminated in the
battle of Sadowa this very Count Kalnoky
asked Bismarck whether he intended to
break the treaties. The willy Chancellor
replied: mo; but if | did do you think
would tell you?" In point of fact he
had already made up his mind to tear the
treaties to pieces, as Kanoky soon dis
covered.
There are two reasons why Austria
should desire to terminate the Dreibund.
In the first place, it puts Austria to vast
expense merely to defend Germany against
foes who are friendly to Austria. It's cost
Iiness has for some time given rise to COM
plants in Italy. and if the truth were
known the Austrian Premier has perhaps
spoken in pursuance of a secret under
Standing with King Humbert's Ministers.
Under the provisions of the Dreibuud
Austria and Italy are obliged to keep on
foot larger armies than their own wants
require. In the condition of their finances
it would be desirable to get rid of the
burden.
Again, Austria has never forgotten esther
Sadowa or the nth of January, 1871, at
Versailles. The war between Prussia and
Austria was wholly unprovoked. 1t was
undertaken through Bismarck's ambition
10 m axe Prussia the foremost power in
Germany Perhaps the aim was justiiahle.
But the war. with the defeat which ended
it, ere none the less exasperating to Aus
tria. The wound was aggravated when
the King of Prussia made himself EmnerOr
of Germany, and formally, in very precise
words, declared that Austria no longer
formed part of Germany. Francis Joseph
had no choice but to accept his fate. He
was in no condition to encounter the half
million veterans whom Won Moltke had
under his command. Therefore he replied
with the best grace he could assume that
be congratulated his brother monarch on
his new dignity and that he stepped once
and forever out of Germany.
But it must have been an awful wrench.
Austria had been the leading power In
Germany ever since there was Germany.
The ATchduke of Austria was almost eX-
officio Emperor of Germany when the
Brandenburgs were petty landgraves and
electors. For five hundred years every
Emperor was a Hapsburg. At this day
eight of the sixteen Austrian States which
hold diets are wholly and purely German.
To turn the Emperor of Austria out of
Germany was almost like turning him ont
of house and home. Francis Joseph must
have felt himself helpless indeed when he
submitted to such humiliation. He has
horna IL for fUapfv-tvo vaara Viapno
the gayest, brightest. richest, best city OF
Germany, has during all that time ceased
to be German. and its place has been taken
by mere barrack on the Spree.
Now, perhaps, Austria feels that her
time has come. If she dissolves the Drei-
bund, with Italy following her, and forms
a close alliance with Russia and France,
Bismark may live long enough to perceive
the truth Of the cd adage that he who
grasps too much holds nothing firmly.