The herald., 1897-12-05
Threatened by Disorders
in Austria
CIVIL WAR ALMOST CERTAIN
AND A GENERAL STRUGGLE NOT
UNLIKELY
English Labor Outlook Grows More
Gloomy-Interest in American
Politics-Minor Matters
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Dec. 4.-(Copyright 1879
International questions have been tenn
porarily overshadowed by the gravity
of the situation in Austria, where
things are as gloomy as imaginable. In
addition to the imminence Of a civil
war, the next few hours may possibly
witness a historic revolution in the re.
lations between Austria and Hungary.
which might mean the reconstruction
| of the map of Europe. 1t is hardly an
exaggeration to say that the factions
are drawing up like contending armies.
! The Germans have appealed to their
compatriots on both sides of the from
tier and are apparently prepared to run
all risks to keep the Czechs in subjec-
tion. The Czechs make no secret Of the
fact that their final aim is to abolish
the dual empire and make 1t triple
empire by placing Bohemia on equal
footing with Austria and Hungary. To
grant these demands would set Hun
gary on fire and destroy the foundations
of the imperial system. 1t looks as
though the employment Of force is the
only solution of the question; but
against which faction will it be used?
| The question of the provisional Aus
glich bill (an agreement to prolong for
a year instead of ten years the compact
between Austria and Hungary pending
arrangements for a longer compact) Is,
if possible, a question more grave than
the threatened civil war.
The Hungarian diet has given Baron
Austrian premier, until Monday next
in which to state whether he can rea-
sonably expect the Ausglich bill to
pass, and, failing a decisive answer,
Baron Banffy, the Hungarian premier,
will introduce on Monday q bill where.
by Hungary will act Independently as
regards the duties to be levied, continu-
ance of commercial relations with Aus
tra and the charter of the Austro-
Hungarian bank. This compact between
the two portions of the dual state thus
lapses, though the status quo may be
maintained temporarily. Hungary will
establish her claim to the right of in
dependently disposing of these ques-
tions. 1t is easy to see that victory will
only whet the Hungarians' appetite, and
that it will be short step to the dis
solution of Austria, which in turn will
hurl Europe into furnace Of terrible
possibilities.
Apparently the only hope of escape
is that the personal ascendancy of the
old emperor will once again enable him
to solve an apparently impossible situ-
alton. Failing in this, the Reichsrath
will be dissolved and reign of absolut-
ism will begin in Austria, and, tech
nically. Hungary will have resumed her
independence, the first step toward a
federated as distinguished from a dual
Austro- o-Hungarian monarchy.
LABOR TROUBLES
The fact that the engineers confer
ence has ended in a fiasco is not sur.
prise, though much regretted. The adj
dress in which the delegates Of the
strikers submit the results to the men,
bers of the unions is most discourage
ing. 1t emphasizes their opinion that
the conditions which the employers are
resolved to exact strike at the very
root of the most cherished principles Of
trades unionism.
The whole aspect of the Industrial
world here is most depressing. In adj
dition to the engineering troubles, tho
Amalgamated Society Of Railway Ser
wants has issued strike notices to 12O, 900
IOl It's IlelHDeTS, anu lIle COttOn INDUSTRY
is also threatened with paralysis.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The army bill has precedence over all
others in the coming session Of the Brit.
ish parliament, and the government 10
preparing to force the measure through
before Easter. The increased amounts
required will possibly exceed any budget
surplus which may exist, but there will
be no objection even upon the part of the
Little Englanders.
The question of raising q larger army
for Great Britain is the topic of the
hour, and even the bogey of the possbil.
ity of an invasion has been raised. All
the Conservatives and many of the Lib.
eral speeches are largely devoted to
sketching the possible combinations OF
the powers against Great Britain, with
the view of convincing the public of the
necessity of militarism.
Sir Arthur B. Barwood, BART Conser-
vative member of parliament for the
Southwest division of Lancashire, in
speech at Liverpool on Tuesday, in dis
cussing Great Britain's frctions and
the attitude of the other powers toward
Great Britain, spoke of the foreign pol
icy of the United States as being difficult
TO forecast. Speaking broadly, he ex-
planned the United States would be slow
to draw the sword in any quarrel ex-
cepting with herself, but, at the same
time, he added, her politicians are so un.
scrupulous as to the means used to in.
jure their opponents, and their press Ia
so sensational that any day the United
States might unwittingly and without
real intent be found in conflict with some
other power.
"At the bottom Of American hearts
there is regard for England; but their
regards are so overloaded with old preju-
. dices that we could not. with reasonable
certainty, calculate on which SIDE Of "a