Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-02-17
TROUBLE AHEAD FOR AUSTRIA.
Present Dissensions Likely to Dis
rupt the COnEIomerate Empire.

Present Dissensions Likely to Dis
rupt the COnElOmerate Empire.
An Austrian, in London, explains the
troubles in Austria-Hungary as fol-
ows:
The explanation of the present crisis
s simple enough. Austria, it must al
ways be remembered, is not nation
in the proper sense of the word. The
empire is made up of a conglomera-
ton of peoples and states. with differ
ent languages and often conflicting in
terests and aspirations. There can be
no feeling of patriotism in Austria,
such as exists, for instance, in England
and Germany. The Austrian empire is
} perfect chaos of languages and races.
Germans, Slavs, Czechs, Poles, Croats
and Hungarians, all owe allegiance to
The emperor of Austria. They have
few interests in common, and cannot
even understand each others language.
AS long as national and race feelings
were dormant it was possible by jul
licious compromises to hold the en-
pire together. But as soon as national
feeling in any of the component parts
Of the dual kingdom become pro-
bounced crisis was inevitable. This
~ N'AioI nos NV Alo PRNASN- IL - R-N,A-
alton of the present situation is the
clashing of the interests of the nu-
merous nationalities which form the
basis of the Austrian empire.
1.-The situation is very critical one.
For this reason: Austria lies between
three great powers-Germany, Russia
and Italy. Portions of the same race
which inhabit these countries are also
H. e 4 he
have any grievance to the component
parts of the dual kingdom they i'm
mediately seek sympathy and support
of those who belong to the same race
The center of attraction is not, there
fore, the Austrian emperor, but one
of Austria's neighbors. For instance,
at the present time the German pop
ulation of Austria naturally looks
rather to the German fatherland than
to a federation of races which have
nothing in common with themselves.
That is the danger, and it is a real
one.
''The feeling toward Germany of the
Austrian Germans has been gradually
growing for many years and it has
now found expression. The present
leaders of the German opposition were
boys and students when the German
empire was founded. They were deep
ly Influenced by the wave of national
feeling which preceded the war of 1870.
The seed Sown then is now bearing
fruit. 1t has grown steadily and will
grow until the German provinces of
Austria join the German empire. Up
to the present time the emperor has
been able to keep the empire together
by means of compromises. But the time
for compromises is now past. The en-
peror will undoubtedly endeavor to
smooth things, for next year he cele
brates his jubilee and is very anxious
that there shall be no disturbance. But
feeling is running very high
But it has often been predicted that
Austria was on the point of breaking
up and each time the prediction has
been falsified.'
Yes, that is true, but the situation
to-day is different in many respects.
The Germans, instead of being divided
among themselves, are, with the eX-
ception of the clericalS, firmly united.
National feeling was not so strongly
developed, the German empire had not
been united, Italy was still a chaos of
states and Russia had not gained the
commanding position she holds to-day.
Above all, the emperor is an old man
and is not what he used to be. 1t needs
a strong hand and keen mind to keep
the Austrian empire together. Where
is that man to be found?" - London
News.