The record-union., 1897-12-05

national questions have been Temporal
rily overshadowed by the gravity of the
situation in Austria, where things are
as gloomy as imaginable. In addition
10 the lmminence Of a civil war, the
next lew hours may possibly witness
a historic revolution in the relations
between Austria and Hungary, which
might mean the reconstruction of the
map of Europe.
1T is hardly an eXaggera ton to say
that the factions are drawing up like
contending armies. The Germans have
appealed to their compatriots on both
sides OF the frontier, and are apparent
~ 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 the dual Empire and
make it triple Empire by placing
Bohemia on equal footing with Austria
and Hungary. To grant these demands
would set Hungary on fire, and destroy
the foundations of the Imperial sys-
tenn. 1t looks as though the employ
ment 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 (or agreement to prolong for
d year, instead of ten years, the COM
pact between Austria and Hungary,
pending arrangements for a longer
compacD is, if possible, question more
grave than the threatened civil war.
The Hungarian Diet has given Baron
Won Gautsch Won Frankenthurn, the
Austrian Premier. until Monday next
in which to state whether he can rea-
soma h1V the AnSOlirh hill fO
pass, and failing decisive answer,
Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier,
will introduce on Monday a bill where
by Hungary will act independently as
regards the duties to be levied, contin-
uance of commercial relations with
Austria and the character of the Aus
tro-H Hungarian Bank.
This compact between the two por-
tions of the dual State thus lapse. and
though the status quo may be main
tanned temporarily, Hungary will estab-
llsh her claim to the right of independ-
emily disposing of these questions. 1t
is easy to see that victory will only
whet the Hungarian appetite, and that
it will be a short step to the dissolu-
ton of Austria, which, in turn, will
hurl Europe into a 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
situation. Failing in this, the Reichs-
rath will be dissolved, and reign of
absolutien will begin in Austria, and,
technically. Hungary will have re-
sumed her independence, the first step
! *ol 4 inc tich q
from a dual Austro-Hungarian mon
archy.
The fact that the Engineers Confer
ence has ended in a fiasco is no sur
prise. though much regretted. The
address in which the delegates of the
strikers submit the result 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, the
Amaigamated Society of Railway Ser
wants has issued strike notices to TO-
900 CT its members, and the cotton in
dustry is also threatened with paraly-
sis.
Congressman Gillett of Massaehus-
etts who has spent three weeks in
Spain studying the Cuban question
from the Spanish point of view, in his
capacity as a member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs, sailed
from Gibraltar on Monday on board
the Hamburg American line steamer
Augusta Victoria. The United States
ambassador. General Stewart l.. Wood
ford presented the Commissioner to
Premier Saeasta, and Senior Gullon. the
Minister for Foreign Affairs. with
whom he discussed Cuban matters.
The army bill has precedence over
all others IN the coming session of the
British Parliament and the Govern
ment is 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 a larger army
for Great Britain is the topic Of the
hour, and even the bogey of the possi-
bility of an invasion has been raised.
All the Conservative and many of the
Liberal speeches are largely devoted to
sketchins 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, Con-
servative member of Parliament for the
Southwest Division of Lancashire in
a speech at Liverpool on Tuesday. in
discussing Great Blitain's frictions and
the attitude of the other powers to-
ward Great Britain, spoke of the for
| eign policy of the United States as
| being difficult to forecast. Speaking
broadly. he explained that the United
States would be SOW TO draw the sword
in any quarrel excepting with herself
| but. at the same time. he added, "her
| domestic and political divisions are SO
keen her politicians are so unscrupu-
| lous. as to the means used to injure
| their opponents. and their press is 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 the Americans
hearts there is regard for England: but
their regards are so overloaded with
| old prcjudices that we could not with
reasonable certainty calculate on which
| side of an issue the great American
| republic might stand