The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
HUNGARY.
Agitation Against Austrian Hymn In the
Reichsrath-kat Francis Jose,pli's Illness.

Observation-Disclosures Francis JoseI,h's Illness.
Budapest, Dec. An exciting parlia-
mentary struggle came to an end to-day
in the Hungarian House of Representatives
with regard TO the Wessi affair Mr.. Wessi
who il one of the most able members of the
Independent party In Parliament, few
weeks ago at the dedication Of a inonu-
nient in. kolozsvar, Us the head OF u large
number Of Hung arian patriots. raised great
demonstration against the Colt erhalte.
the national hymn Of Austria. being played
at that festival by military band.
Mr.. Wessi. being an officer in reserve
of the Austro-llungarian Army. for
demonstrating against song gloriiying
the Emperor received note from the
commander of his regiment saying that
he would he sentenced to degradation.
The immunity Of the members Of Parlia-
ment was infringed upon by this &C, of the
army Officers So il came To ie discussed in
the House al the moment when the officers,
seeing their error, asked the Parliament
to consent to turn over its member To jury
Of honor OF the army.
The Independent party declared that
parliamentary immunity had been vio-
lated, and fierce attacks were made upon
Baron Fejervary. Minister of War, who.
having the majority behind him. would not
acknowledge that any wrong had been
committed by his officers and called Nes-i's
act disloyal and dishonorable in a soldier,
The whole Of last week was spent in the
discussion of the affair. for most of the In
dependent members delivered speeches,
and Mr., Szall,' Prime Minister. Baron
Fej-Ivary. Mr.. Plosz, Minister of Justice,
and many Of the majority tried TO defend
the army officers against their attacks.
The most interesting and fervent speech
was that OF Mr.. Hardly Eotvos, who IL one
of the oldest and greatest living authors
and politicians Of Hungary. He appears
very seldom in the House and has spoken
rarely in late years, 80 that his mere
appearance was an event Although his
speech was short it created sensation
all over the country and even the Liberal
party applauded it. Mr.. Eotvos said: 1T
il a shame that makes me blush that in
Hungary there is no law which prohibits
the playing Of the Austrian national hymn,
even if il gloritie- the Austrian Emperor,
who happens to lie our King. We have our
national song, a more beautiful work in
halte,' and yet we must endure the tune Of
that hated song, which was played under
the gallows when our thirteen Generals
were hanged in ls4s for following our
father kossu,h. And there are Hungarian
Ministers" addressing the members Of the
Government, who defend that song and
would proclaim loss of honor for a man
who dared 10 demonstrate aga inst it. And
Mr.. Fcjervary, Minister of War who does
nothing else but flatter toward the Crown
doesn't hesitate q m oment to approve OF
the acts of his officials. who do not need
immunity and who will not &C knowledge
the supremacy Of Parliament. Now. il
the Minister Of War acts thus. / and my
party will oppose everything and in the iut-
ure We will not grant one man for the army
The "old leader. as he is called in Hun.
gary, spoke further in such tenor, amid
the applause of the Independent party.
This strong speech was followed next day
by rumors that the Government was 10
resign Next day Mr.. Coleman Swell and
Baron Fejervsry. Minister of War. left the
capital for Vienna. where the Emperor
was to receive them. but the Emperor did
not receive the Minister Of War. II was
change Of cabinet, but the Emperor re.
uuested them to keel their Offices until he
Ausgleich is settled. On their return the
Ness affair was continued but with less
excitement. for the minority saw that it
oud be impossible to carry through
their idea. as Mr.. Sell, Prime Min.
lister, more than once threatened a dis.
luton Of the House il the opposition
party obtained a ma GRITTY. Many OF
the Liberal members. who az the he.
ginning Joined the opposition. needed the
threat and the proposition to deliver Nessi
was accepted with majority Of l23 votes.
About twice as many Liberals who would
not give their votes on the proposition
were kept away to avoid collision with the
Government.
The Emperor, now 20 years old, has been
i'll for the last week, il is reported, and
the people of both countries awaited
anxiously the result Of the illness To
prevent any anxiety no bulletins have been
published 80 as to assure the public that
the Emperor's illness L. of no import ance
only cold. There is no reason to doubt
the truth of this but considering the age
Of the Emperor any indisposition always
creates an anxiety. The people Of the
monarchy are certain that the death of the
Emperor will mean not only change Of
the crown to he dissatisfaction of Hungary,
bu. also a change in the geographical posi-
ton of the monarchy.
Ii is significant that as soon a. il was
| known in Budapest that the Emperor was
sick the press began to demand openly
certain privileges. One of the leading
| newspapers, the Buddpesh Hirlop. spoke
of the extra army Hungary ought to de-
inand a. soon as circumst ances would per-
| nit. 1t said that the very first dema nd
should he tina, even now only Hunga rial
officers should be in the army ia Hungary.
| for Austrias putting only Austrian officers
| in regiments on Hungarian soil Germanizes
the army and strengthens the opinion that
Hungary Ia merely an annex of Austria
The other newspapers write even more TO
the point, and have caused const ernation in
Austria and given rise TO talk of conces-
/ sions. A bulletin published yesterday said
that the Emperor IL well and rises every
morning at 4 o'clock thus putting an end
to all speculation.
The Emperor himself knows past that a.
soon as he closes his eyes some unforeseen
events may happen, 50 he is also endeavor-
ing to keep mp appearances a. to his per-
feet health by working as hard as usual
giving audiences at certain appointed times
and by rising at O'Clock in the morning.
JOSEPH SZgBENYI.