The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
FRANZ JOSEF'S DILEMMA.
MUcH SYMPATHY FOR HIM IN HIS
PRESENT TROUBLES.
yheJ would Nc Even Greater wero It Not for
His Great Personal unnuenco-No Tell
Ing Vet How Far Toward Destruction the
Race DImculties May lead the Empire.
rpsctai Gable Ds,patoh to THE Sun.


Fpeciui Gable Dsspatch to THE Sun.
LONDON, Doc. A.-The great crisis which has
arisen In Austrla.H Hungary, while sudden ana
TO some extent unexpected outside Of tho dual
monarchy, ought not to surprise tho world. 1t
is the natural working out OF irreconcilable
race difficulties which nothing except the won
dcrful personal influence of the Emperor has
kept In allegiance for many years. 1t is no ex-
eggeration to say that the life OF Francis Joseph
Is the only thing which prevents tho disruption
Of the Austrian Empire, with an incalculable
train OF consequences to Europe at large. When
Il is added that tho best observers take a
gloomy view of the present situation and do not
foresce how the aged Emperor himself may be
able to improve 1t, IL will be understood that the
crisis in central Europe is really of q very grave
description.
The worst feature Of all, including the serious
doings at Prague, is the fact, only apparent
within the last day OF two that tho agitation and
violence have been systematically promoted,
with what ultimate object ia not yet clear.
The Prague official Gazette, describing the
nrst days riots, says: 1T is impossible to as
certain the number of Shops houses, and places
of business that have been devastated. TIL
pillaging, which began at 10 o'clock in the fore
noon, lasted till IL at night, and would appear
to have been carried out according to q precon-
ceiyed plan Of an extensive character. Tho pill
layers followed the same tactics In every IN
stance. First there was a whistie' then the SUD
den gathering or a MOB, whlch smasneo WIN
dows and sacked houses; nnally the rapid as
persal of the crowd. From early In Inc morn
ing till late at night the police headquarters
were literally beleaguered by hundreds OF per
sons begging protection"
This official statement TENDS TO connrm tho
version coming from the German side, That the
ringleaders organized bands who for a Few days
established q reign OF terror In Prague. They
had lists OF the German Inhabitants. They were
not only acquainted with houses bearing Ger.
mar inscriptions put know inc auoresses oI tho
more. prominent members OF the German com.
munity, including even students. 1t Is argued
that this alone can explain tho circumstance
that so few Czech houses were damaged. Even
the charitable institutions and hospitals were
not spared. A Children's Asylum was on the point
Of being attacked when q passerby begged tho
crowd to remember that most OF the patients
were children of Czech parents. AS they do
clined to listen to his circumstances, ne called
for the police and thus diverted the attention Oh
the rioters. who chased him through the streets.
Numerous families whose property was de-
stroyed and who feel that their lives are not
safe are leaving Prague, ana also many stu'
dents from Germany who are attending the uni
versity. Some Of the latter received serious
injuries during the disturbances. Inc German
schools are still closed and also q CONSIDERABLE
number OF herman SHOPS. Inscriptions Al ene'