New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06
TIE HrNGARLAN CRISIS.

King Francis Joseph-there is nc Emperor in
Hungary-has made another attempt to solve
the Hungarian problem, or at any rate to estaD-
fish a modus vivendi which shall endure for
time. His appointment of the Ban OF Croatia,
the strong man of Hungary" to be Prime Min
lister proved unsatisfactory. The strong man
was a weakling Now lac turns to DR.. Lads
las de Lukacs, the Minister Of Finance, and in
trusts him with the headship OF the Cabinet
DR. de Lukacs is a competent man, who enjoys
the Kings entire confidence and the CONFIDENCE
of his colleagues and of leading Hungarian
statesmen generally. But he is not sufficiently
forceful figure to I'LL the place for any consider
able time or to impress himself upon the Earring
factions as their master. The best that can be
hoped is that he and DR.. Wekerle and some
others will be able 10 form a compromise or
coalition Cabinet as a stop gap until such time
as the country shall give decisive mandate
upon the issues that now distract it.
The chief issue is in brief. whether the army
shall be simply an Hungarian national army or
the Hungarian wing of the Austro-Hungarian
imperial army. Logically. under the terms Of
union, it should be the latter. There is for both
parts of the dual realm one single Minister for
War. having direction of army and navy. Be
yond doubt in military matters the two countries
should act as one, and for that reason there
should be the closest relationship and uniformity
between the Austrian and Hungarian cOntin-
gents in the army. This the extreme National
ists or Separatists in Hungary will not recog-
nize They want the Hungarian Army to march
under the Hungarian flag alone, TO obey words
of command given in the Hungarian language
alone and TO be entirely distinct and separate
from the Austrian Army. 1t is obvious that
such a policy would largely impair the efficiency
of TIE two armies when they came TO act to-
getheT in foreign war. The one would not
understand the orders the tactics and drill Of
the other. They would be alien armies cO-ope-at-
ing. instead of an harmonious and united force
Il is not conceivable that any minister called
by the King Will countenance such disastrous
policy The Hungarians may be permitted to
have their own banners and other emblems, and
to have military training colleges. But the Ian
guage Of command and system Of drill and
tactics must be uniform in both countries
Otherwise their military unity would be severed,
and after that their political union would not be
worth days lease of life.
Not the least important feature Of the case is
the personal one. The venerable sovereign is
known to have been much worn and depressed
by this controversy. and more than once TO have
expressed a wish that he were rid of il and of
all tie cares OF state. Indeed. few days ago it
was widely rumored that he was about to abdi-
cate the Hungarian Crown. There was no truth
in the rumor. for Francis Joseph has far too
strong sense Of duty and of divine compulsion
/ thus 10 shirk labOTs and responsibilities, how
| ever onerous He will doubtless stick TO his
| place. and die, when his time comes, in har-
ness. But it is Il pathetic spectacle to see him.
/ in his age and loneliness contending with such
| difficulties; and it is of unhappy omen to Hun
I
| necessary annoyaEces the inevitable ending OF
a career which, despite its errors, has on the
whole been greatly for the good of both empire
/ and kingdom