Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-29
FREE SUFFRAGE FOR AUSTRIA
Government Yields to Demand Of Pc pc
for Extension Of Right to Voc
MONSTER DEMONSTRATIONS IN IL CITIES
P1rRdes COntaininR Hundreds OF
Thousands of Men Emphasize
cry for Political
Freedom.


VIENNA Nov. q -Today marked a new
epoch in Austrian history for the Austrian
people throughout the entire land made
known to the crown their Imperial demand
for equal suffr1ge. and even as this de-
mand was being voiced the crown through
Premier Baron Gautch Won Frankonthurn,
in Parliament was assuring the people that
its will would be done. The premier prom
ised to bring in by the end OF February
bill providing for full and free universal
equal and direct suffrage
The people made known their demand by
a series Of monster demonstrations in all
the principal cities and towns of the coun-
try. From only one town, Austerlitz, are
serious disorders reported. There the troops
fired on disorderly demonstrators. killing
two and wounding thirty. Otherwise the
demonstrations were characterized by the
maintenance Of order and dignity.
Hundreds OF thousands of mem paradcd
today, thus emphasizing their demand for
political freedom. Such a demonstration
was never before witnessed in Austria. The
most impressive feature OF the whole day
In Vienna was found in the fact that not
a single voice was raised as the masses
marched silently but earnestly and with
unmistakable determination.
Parliament opened at II O'clock and at
noon Premier Baron Gautch Won Franken-
thurn announced the granting Of suffrage
to the people. Between 10 a. m. and D. m.
fully $4,000 men and. women marched past
the parliment building, each person wear
Ing on the arm red cloth band bearing
words imperatlvely demanding the granting
of equal suffrage,
The demonstrators turned out i'm much
larger numbers than had been expected
and the days occurrence has made deep
and serious impression upon the country
at large. The premer's words in Parlia-
ment relating to suffrage made a favorable
impression, particularly upon the Germans,
who are gratlfed because of the govern
ment's promise to protect the various ma
tionalities composing the population OF the
empire. In this they see an assurance OF
the continuance OF their national predomi-
nance. The next election to the Chamber
of Deputies will take place next year, prob
ably during the summer.
Emperor Sees Demonstration.
Emperor Francis Joseph spent the day at
the Vienna palace, from the windows OF
which he could witness the silent marching
of his people.
Premier Baron Gautch Won Frankelthurn
the governments bill providing for equal
suffrage.
Every Austrian male over "A years Of age
has a vote. but the voters are divided into
five classes and the votes cast by certain
classes, notably the landed proprietors, va
rious chambers Of commerce and urban
dwellers are infinitely more effective in
securing the election of a deputy than the
votes cast by the ordinary people, to the
extent even that sometimes a dozen land
owners votes court as much as 3O0OOO
votes cast by ordinary people. The result
of this system is that the wealthy classes
can secure parlapentary protection and
favoritism at the expense OF the masses.
I Consequently thF ms sses are demanding in
no uncertain tones the abolition OF all
suffrage privileges enjoyed at their ex-
pense.
Dinerent in Hungary.
The movement applies only to Austria
Suffrage in Hungary Is provided for by the
recent Fejervary- Kristotfy program and tho
opposition of the united coalition party Ia
Hungary to this program because it does
not grant the use Of Hungarian words OF
command i'm the Hungarian section of the
army today stands alone between the Hun.
garians and the enjoyment of suffrage.
There is much fear In Austria that the
new suffrage may deprive the German ele
ment in Austria of its lond-held politica
leadership in national affairs. On this basi:
there is reason to believe that the suffrage
bill will be bitterly attacked by the Ger
man deputies. who constitute 906 members
out Of total of 425. The Germans are fol
lowed by the czechs with eighty-sever
members. The government bill, however
while abolshing the existing suffrage priv
ileges. provided clear system for deter
mining the number of deputies returnable b!
the various provinces on the basis of tn,
number OF inhabitants in each province anC
the total amount OF taxation paid in eaci
province by which the Germans will still
have 2O2 members and the Czechs 2o4. Unde
this new system the number of Polish. Ital
ian, Crotian, Roumanian and German dep
uties will be diminished while the Czechs
Ruthenians and slavonians will be aug
mented.