Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-05
IS DARKER THAN EVER
Outlook in Hungary Said to Be
So Regarded.

| VIENNA, March 5-The outlook in Hun
| gary today is darker than ever Count
| Apponyi at Miskoltz has issued statement
/ to the effect that absoluteism has thrown
| off its last mask" Inasmuch as "abso-
! lutism can only mean the Emperor Francis
| Joseph it can readily be understood that the
statements of the Hungarians in this Aus
| tro- Hungarian crisis come pretty close to
| the danger point.
However, so far as Hungary Is concerned.
II must be admitted that it appears to be
| conflict of constitutionalism versus alb
solutism. with absolutism at present tri-
umphant Just what will finally result
from this attempt to govern without par
Lament no living man can foresee 1t must
in any event mean sacrifice of the present
emperors lifework, and 1t would finally
destroy the splendid edifice reared by
Deaks labors Francis Joseph is the first
Hapsburg sovereign who has ever obtained
the confidence of the Hungarian people,
and they would probably feel even more
bitter against him than they did against
his predecessors Joseph II, Francis II and
Ferdinand V. In this connection 1t is re-
called that not even the fact that the
separation of Norway from Sweden prac-
tically DESTROYED the lifework of King os-
car of Sweden saddening the closing years
of his life. prevented the separation of the
two countries of the Scandinavian PENN
sula. So at no point. II one reasons from
analogy WOuld IL appear as though SenC-
ment for aged ruler would hold together
two people definitely determined to break
apart There is widespread feeling in
Hungary that the position of Emperor
to lack of confidence In Magyar loyalty,
and this naturally does not tend to make
the Magyars more loyal.
Until the Die is Cast.
Until the die Is actually cast it is per-
haps just well to abstain from all specu-
lation as to the final outcome OF these at
tempts at absolutism In Hungary on the
part of the emperor. Undoubtedly he must
have been puzzled to know just what course
to take. even from the standpoint of the
absolute monarch, pure and simple. He
| has seen the question raised during the
past few montfs subjects OF hts
royal relative to the north, the Gar of
Russia. He must have read something of
the arguments in favor of stern and re-
pressiye measures SO long advocated by the
grand dukes, and on the other hand must
have heard something about the agitation
which 1t has been claimed would lead to
the czar losing his crown, II not his head.
1t is possible that Emperor Francis Joseph
has taken leaf from the book of the
car and has decided to make himself abb
solute monarch of the situation, and then
allow. as the car apparently has done, his
subjects 10 tire and wear themselves out
Only in this case, where the car started
out as an absolute monarch and gave the
u IL.
the Emperor of Austria-Hungary possess
ed, so far as his Austrian subjects were con-
cerned, at least the shadow of parliament
and decided to do away with it. From a
popular point of view at least this marks
quite a difference, the one monarch Great
ing at least a kind of a parliament, the
other abolishing at least kind of parlia-
ment. Even from the point of view of the
absolute monarch it would appear as
though the policy of the car was wiser
than that of the emperor.
Deprives Leaders of Immunity.
Still, it must not be forgotten that A dis
solution of parliament deprives the Magyar
leaders of their immunity though it is
doubtful whether this parliamentary i'm
mun1ty is worth as much in country like
Austria as In country Hike England or
the United States, where the liberties pre-
scrfbed by the constitution are more near
~ lived up to. Baron Feiervarys calcutta
ton that radical program. with universal
suffrage as its titbit, would win over the
masses Tor the government has proved
signally false, and the coalition leaders be-
heVe that they can count upon the almost
unanimous support of the nation. But it is
peculiarly unfortunate that the Hungarian
crisis should reach its height at the mo-
ment that the constitution In Austria was
being placed on basis more democratic
that ever known In this part of the world
II is hoped by singularly able mediators
IKE NM. Sell, LukacS and Wekerle that
an eleventh-hour agreement can be reached.
1t is argued that the continuation of the
crisis will certainly weaken Austro Hun
gary in the concert of nations lust as the
troubles In Russia have left the cZar no
longer a force to be reckoned with for the
present, at least-just as the separation of
Norway and Sweden robbed King Oscar
of Sweden Of even more than one-half of
his power and prestige The internal
troubles of Austria Hungary are probably
one of the chief causes of the daring at
tltude of her formerly almost insignifi-
cant neighbor Seryia, in the matter of the
customs union with Bulgaria. Just think
what might happen if Serva and several
Of the Balkan states made common cause
with Hungary against Emperor Francis
Joseph and Austria. In the event of such
war 1t is by no means certain that the
Austrians could do any more than hold
their own. since they constitute aggressive
peoples accustomed to fighting, and q great
many of the movements would take place
in the mountains, almost guerrilla fashion
No Aims on the Balkans.
In this connection, of course, NJ. Kos
suths assertion that Hungary has no
aims in the Balkans will be recalled
However those who know ~. Kossuth best
say that his object in this connection was
not so much to proclaim the disinterested-
ness of Hungary to draw attention to
Austria's sinister designs of expansion in
Macedonia and thus to enlist Balkan sym
patty in the Magyar cause. One thing is
certain-Count Goluchowski's position is
considerably shaken-liS former defense of
Magyar interests at Bucharest does not
render him any the less unpopular at
Budapest. The sudden prominence given
to Austria Hungary in the recent naval
demonstration at Mityelene a mere
flash in the pan, which deceived no one,
least Of all the sultan; for It's real causes
are to be sought not In her neighbours con-
hdence In Austria's strength, but In the
temporary eclipse of Russia and the policy
of -effacement lately adopted by Eng
land The troubles of the dual monarchy
are one aspect of European politics not APP
preciated up TO the present time. This is
ali the more surprising when 1t is remem
bered that Austria has always been
power In diplomacy-a sort of a pivot for
the balance OF power in Europe. Austrian
weakness cuts both ways. II deprives Ger
many OF her chief military ally in the
event of war. and, on the other hand the
breaking up of the dual monarchy in SOUTH
eastern Europe would undoubtedly prove
q tempting opportunity for the predatory
instincts of the Pan-German League.
Among the Viennese themselves the dispo-
sition appears TO be TO blame Archduxe
Franz Ferdinand. the heir apparent, who
has been credited with having informed the
emperor that he would not ascend the
throne unless the privileges of the crown
were handed down TO him undiminished II
Is always a difficult thing to prove any