The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-05
DUAL EMPIRE ENDANGERED
The AppetitGS Of the HunSarianS Whetted
For independence.
ENGLAND HAS ANOTHER GHOST
Failure of Settlement of the Engineers Strike
Leads to Others of Mammoth Propor-
tions-ResuIts of the Indian
War Not Encouraging.

London, Dec. 4-Internatlonal ques-
tions have been temporarily overshadow-
ed by the gravity of the situation in
Austria, where things are as gloomy as
imag Unable. In addition to the fmmi-
nence of a civil war the next few hours
may possibly witness a historic revolu-'
tion in the relations between Austria
and Hungary, which might mean the
reconstruction of the map of Europe.
1t is hardly an exaggeration to say shat
the factions are drawn up like contend
ing armies. The Germans have appeal
ed ito their compatriots on both sides of
the frontier and are apparently prepared
to run all risks to keep the Czechs in
subsection. The Czechs make no secret
of the fact that their final aim is to
abolish she dual empire and to make
it triple 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
founda tions of the present imperial sys-
Vem. IL looks aS tnOuSn uibd tlifppoy-
ment of force is the only solution of the
question, but against which faction will
1t be used?
Hungary Wants Independence
The question of the provisional agree
ment to prolong for year instead of
ten years the compact between Austria
and Hungary pending arrangements for
a longer compact is If possible. a ques-
tion even more grave than the threaten
ed civil war. The Hungarian diet has
given Baron Won Gautsch Won Franken-
thurn, the Austrian premier, until Mon
day next in which to stare whether ne
can reasonably expect the Austleoch
bill to pass, and failing an answer, Bar
ON Banffy, the Hungarian premier, will
introduce on Monday a bin by which
Hungary will act Independently as re-
CARDS the duties 10 be levied, THE con-
tbnuation of commercial relations with
Austria and the renewal of the charter
of the Austro-HungaIian bank. The
compact between the two portions of the
dual state thus elapsss and the Statu
quo may be made temporary, Hungary
will establish her right to the extern or
independently disposing of these privi-
leg1es. 1t is easy to see that victory
wlhets sh)s Hungarians appetite, and 1t
will be a short step towards the disso-
luton of the empire which in turn would
hurl Europe into turmoil of pfobabili-
ties.
In ithe m msanGme 1t remains to be seen
If the POLITICAL strength of the Old en-
peror will enable him ITO stem the diff
ficuhy. Faiging in this the reichsr7ath
will be prorogued and Hungary assume
her Independence and dhe first step to-
wards a dissolution of the Austro-Hun-
garian dual monarchy.
England's New Ghost
The operations of the British in India
do not seem to have amy effect in in
,lucing the tr.fbeemen to surrender The
who'll. war ds dscouraging. The uncom-
Portable suggestion that THE British regi-
ments, with one, or two exceptions, have
gone through the scrimmagels with less
credit than the Sikhs and Ghurkas. IL
true will have an effect ON the native
element extremely grave. For should
1.-The Sikhs get the swelled head and I'm
agine themselves a match for the Brit
ish it will raisa such tempest as never
vet has been seen in the annals of India.
In the Labor World
The fact that the engineering confer
ence has ended in a complete failure is to
be extremely regretted. The extreme
gravity of th situation is not to be over
estimated The address of ithe atrikers'
delegates to the members of their or
gantzations lis most dsscouraging. 1t is
felt that 1.-The domdltions off employers are
resolved to enforce strike at the very
heart of TRADES unionism.
In conclusion thu address says: Moth
ing but 1.-THE senseI of THE sufferings and
sacrifices which the quarrel has already
imposed upon our fellow laborers could
have induced us to submit proposals Of |
such humhliating character 1or con- |
s.deration.'
Th- above is an admission of the fact !
already known that the strikers are re-
duced to a pitiful plight
The whole aspect of the Industrial |
world here is much depressing.
In addition to THE engin :ering troubles !
tfe Amalgamated Society of Railway |
has issued strike notices to 12O- |
900 of it's members and the cotton indus
try is also threatened with paralysis.
Larger Army Aeitated
The army bill takes precedence over
all others in the coming session of the
British parliament, and the government |
Is preparing to force the measure |
through before easter. The question of |
raising. a large army for Great Britain
Is topic of great interest, and even the
bogy of possible invasion has been
raised.
All the conservatives and many of the
liberal speeches are largely devoted to
1.-THE possible combinations of
the powers against Great Britain, with