New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-20
THE KENG OF HTNGART-


4 recent dispatch from Vienna stated that
there was talk Of the abdiCation of King
Francis Joseph Of Hungary and Of the choice Of
Prince Eitel. second son of the German En-
peror. to succeed him. We must regard this as
one OF the most amazing stories that ever came
out Of that unrivalled exchange of political and
diplomatic gossip. and as quite incredible. 1t is
well known that Francis Joseph finds the crown
Of St Stephen a burden to his venerable head.
In the course OF the present cantankerous con
troversy over the language question, which for
months has convulsed the kingdom and which
seems 70 nearer an end pow than it did
month ago. the King has given pathetic ex-
preston to his WEAKNESS and TO a desire that
the wranglng and cranky factions would let
him serve out in peace the remaining years Of
his long reign. But we have hitherto said
in discussing this very matter. there is ap. rent
no reason for supposing that he has ever medi-
tated abdcation. No sovereign in the world
has a more austere sense of divine duty i'm
posed upon him. and no other is less likely 10
perform what would seem 10 him an act Of
cowardice and desertiOn.
Still more prepoSterous seems the suggestion
that il Francis Joseph should abdicate Prince
Eitel. or indeed any PruSSian prince, would be
chosen to succeed him. Such suggestion is
worthy only Of those who have been talking
about Pan-Germanism in Hungary thing
/ that has no more existence than snakes I'm Ice
/ land Hungary is dominated 10y the Magyars.
/ and the Magyars are not only non-German. but
also decidedly anti-German The great Hun
/ garlan revolution Of more than half century
ago was inspired by Magyar animosity against
! German domination. The present protracted
/ crisis In Hungary has arisen solely out of
/ Magyar Unwillincness 10 DE Germanized. The
| Nagyars not only tolerate but respect and
/ cherish Francis Joseph. though be is Ger
man, because The House of Hapsburg has been
/ gloTiOusly associated with Magyar history. But
10 east him of and elect a Prussan. kinsmau
and successor Of the arch-enemy Of Maria
| Theresa-it is Simply unthinkable. The de
scendants Of the Magyar mobiles who girt the
I great empress shout with a ring OF swor,
/ blades and cried 'AIoriamur pro nostro Rege"
eve viii die FOR our King.l viii scarcely elect
for their King prince Of the house that men
aced Maria Thereaa's throne and robbed her OF
one of her most priced provinces. If that bt
going too far back for a motive 10 some les:
sentimental than the Magyars we may say tba
the men who are now fighting 50 strenuous!
against German influences are not likely to END
the struggle by voluntarily subjecting them
selves TO German rule.
Reyond all tnat. we may say that in case o
the abdicatiOn OF their King there is much rea
son to doubt whether the Magyars would cleo
or accept another king at all. Hungary Is ont
Of the most advanced and progressive countries
in Europe. and one Of the most republican Il
spirit For years the best informed observer
have thought ii probable that whenever, If ever
Hungary dispenses with the Hapsburg mon
archy ii will be to establish a republic. Tha
was Kossuth's dream. That Is the ideal which
myriads of Magyars have cherished ever sine
KossutL's day. II may not be realized in on
| time But its realization is far more prObabl
| than the election Of a Hohenzoliern king