New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-27
not be met with anywhere else in Europe. not
even in Paris
THE RIVAL CAPITAL.

THE RIVAL CAPITAL.
Tie rival capital Budapest, is less than nan
as large as Vienna, and is distinctly inferior 10
it in artistic pretensions but il is also hand
some city, with equally progressive tendencies
The Magyars have often been described as the
English Of Southeastern Europe. The COMPARE
son seems a strained one for they ere related
Dy race to the Firms in the north and 10 the
Turks in the south: but they have at least a
genuine love Of local liberty and national indie
pendencc, practical talent for political com
promise and civil administra ion. and a passion
for governing subject races: ana tnese are Ger
tainly English traits In any event they have
laid the foundations Of The new Houses e Par
lament az their capital the banks Of the
Danube and the splendid structure which IS
now slowly approac hing completion bears
marked resemblance IL site and design 10 the
Houses Of Parliament Westminster
The situation OF Budapest IS one Of excep-
tonal scenic beauty. The two cities are on OPP
pOslte sides Of the Danube. which is spanned by
four bridges on the Buda side there are
high hills and bluffs overhangng the river. and
one Of them Is crowned by fortress and
other. lower down. by an imperial chateau built
by Maria Theresa. Beyond these picturesque
structures are the uppe~ and lower reaches OF
the town, with the old Church of ST. Matthias
and the official residences Of several Ministers
in commanding positions. On the opposite side
IS the larger city Of Pesth on lower ground, with
the new Houses of Parliament and an unfinished
Romanesque basilica as the most prominent
structures. ana with long promenade lined
with hotels and CAFES along the waterfront.
Pesth has its outer end inner Ring StTasse and
its Prater or public park. in the suburbs; bat
neither OF these great works rivals the CORE
spending one in Vienna. There was no circuit
Of fOrtiicatons 10 be replaced with handsome
streets. nor was there a group Of beautiful
suburbs 10 he connected with and drawn into
the inner city. The new boulcvards are not
lined with palaces, but with commonplace
structures
1t is the waterfront which is effective IN
Budapest and artistic use has been made
Of it, beautiful wooded island below the
last bridge has been converted into pleasure
ground. The fashionable promenade on the
Iestn side commands glorious view of the
Blocksberg. the citadel and the palace. and pre-
sehts from The heights opposite an animated
spectacle. with its gay throngs in open-air cafes
and restaurants A. night each city glows and
sparkles with lights along the waters edge and
high among he hills and bluffs and the radi-
ance is reflected by the dark current Of the
Danube. The effect will be still moro beautiful
when The magnificent Parliament buildings arr
completed and Illuminated ri night This great
Hungarian metropolis of half n million popIla-
ton has grown up in a century from the modest
town al the base Of the old fortress and castle.
and II IS one of the most progressive and best
governed cities in Europe. For enc thing Il has
a system OF noiselass electric railways without
overhead wires. which operates satisfactorily
and economically ard is superior 20 any other
method Of electric traction In use I'm either Ge.-
many or America. In art treasures the Hun
garian capital is singularly poor its two cal
Munkacsy being without honor IN his own coun-
try: but Y has engineering works Of original
power. and in practical efficiency Of admnistra-
ton II occupies 3 conspicuous place among the
great cities Of The world.
CENTRES OF RACE DOMINION
These two rival capitals. Vienna and ruda.
pest. having settled their differences in ls97
by a satisfactory and equitable compromise.
have continued FOR thirty years 10 contribute
each to the others progress. The essence o.
that compromise was that the Magyars should
be allowed TO govern one-half Of the Emniro
while The Germans controlled The other hall and
that three ministries for tho common inter
ests Of diplomacy. finance and military affair.
should be responsible 20 the delegations from the
TWO Pa-liaments. This compact. which estab-
lished an equilibrium Of rae, forces throughout
the Empire has made IL i.lpract.cah,e Tor the
dual-mOnarchy To- take an active part Ia the
settlement Of the Eastern question or 20 expose
Itself 10 the risks Of foreign war. With the two
~Lling races pulling In opposite directions. and
with the subject races in each half Of the en-
pire powerfully swayed by preiudices jealousies
and sympathies. 1t has been impossible for the
monarchy TO exert much influence In European
affairs. The compromise has tended 20 keep
Austria Hungary out 81 aggressive diplomacy
and open warfare. and to prolong indefinitely
the era OF peace. Each capital has prohted hy
the others pacific industry. and has made great
gains In population, trade and material re-
sources.
unique position as the capital Of the whole En-
pire. Il received powerful Incentive - carry
out every wall-devised scheme 1Or improving
the city. imparting dignity and siateliness 20 It's
streets. and for rendering II in fact. II not in
name. the real stronghold Of power and inhu-
ence Budapest IL the seat ~ national Par
lament and the Emperor occupies for a short
season the chateau OF Maria Theresa; but
Vienna is the centre Of the Empire. As cap
ital worthy u an ancient and powerful federated
empire il cannot have a rival either in Buda-
pest or in Prague How far the Roman princi-
pie os dividing ard ruling can be carried in 80
diverse q COnfederaCy OF races and nations a.
Austria Hungary is controversial question. In
each half the SlaVs challenge the ascendency OF
the ruling race. The CZechs ~ Bohemia wish 10
have a triple instead Of n dual kingdom. and
heir agitation II successful would create q third
caDitaL with another national Parliament and
an additional summer residence In Prague FOR the
Court Croatia also sighs for independence, and
Agran aspires 70 the dignity or an imperial
caDital North and south the Slavs are in secret
revolt against the governing races. precisely as
the Magyars chafed and sulked under German
rule until their own rights were recognized I'M
nerial unity might be impaired by fresh com
nroroises but Vienna would not suffer any loss
n, prestige from them. II Budapest. with all
IFS energy and enterprise. remains second-rate
capitaL neither Prague nor Agram can hope 10
rival Vienna. l. ~ l