Evening journal., 1897-12-06
WOES OF AUSTRIA.
Czechs May Bring on @ Civil
War In Hungary.
RIOTyC CONTINUES IN BOHEMIA.
The Hungarian Diet Is Giving the Aus
trian Premier but Very Short Time
TO Speak on the Provisional
AusgIeich BIl.

LONDON, Dec. G. - international
questions have been temporarily over
shadowed by the gravity of the stua-
tion in Austria. where things are as
gloomy as imaginable. In addition TO
the imminence Of a civil war. n few
hours may possibly witness a historic
revolution in the relations between
Austria and Hungary which might
mean the reconstruction Of the map of
Europe. IT is hardly an exaggeratIon
to say that the factions are drawn up
like contending armies. The Germans
have appealed TO their compatriots on
both sides of the frontier and are ap-
parently prepared TO run all risks to
keep the hated Czechs in subiection.
The Czechs make no secret of the fact
that their final aim is TO abolish the
dual empire by placing Bohemia on an
equal footing with Austria and Hun
gary. To grant these demands would
set Hungary on fire and destroy the
foundations Of the present imperial sys-
TEN. It looks as though the employ
ment OF force is the only solution of the
question, but against which faction viii
il be used2
dispatch from Prague says that at
Tabor the Czechs attacked the houses
of the Hebrews and broke the windows
of the synagogue. Five of the rioters
We're arrested. The local force of gem
darmes was re-enforced. and the mill
tary We're called upon to assist in re-
storing order A mob Of over 1000 per-
sons at Braunau attacked the houses Of
the Czechs and, in spite Of the efforts Of
the gendarmes and regular police.
smashed the windows and did other
damage.
The question Of the provisional aus
gleich bill, or agreement to prolong for
year. instead of ten years, the COM
pact between Austria and Hungary.
pending the pending of arrangements
for a longer compact, is, if possible. a
| question even more grave than the
! threatened civil war. The Hungarian
diet has given Baron Won Gautsch Won
/ rankenthurn, the Austrian premier.
but a short time in which to state
whether he can reasonably expect the
/ ausgleich bill to pass, and failing a de-
/ cisive answer Baron Banffy the Hun
/ garian premier, win introduce a bill at
once whereby Hungary will act inde-
pendently as regards the duties to be
| levied, continuance Of commercial rela-
tions with Austria and the renewal of
the charter Of the Austro- Hungarian
bank. The compact between the two
portions of the dual state thus lapses,
and though the status quo may be
maintained temporarily, Hungary will
establish her claim to the right of inde-
pendently disposing Of these questions
II is easy to see that victory will only
whet the Hungarians appetite and that
IL win be but a short step to the disso-
luton Of Austria, which in turn will
] D. H.
possibilities.
Apparently the only hope of escape is
that the personal ascendency of the ole
emperor will once again enable him tC
solve an apparently impossible situa-
ton. Failing in this, the reichsrath vii
be dissolved and a reign of absolutisn
will begin in Austria and, technically
Hungary will have resumed her inde
pendence, the first step toward a fed
Grated as distinct from dual Austro
Hungarian monarchy.