New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-25

they have enjoyed until now that they are pre-
nsred 10 go any length. short OF actual reVoiu-
ton TO prevent IT. That however. their oo-
struction and animosity will ever develop INTO
an orsanized armed rebellion as in 1S4S. need
not am convinced. be really feared. For where
as sixty years ago old Kossuth and his fellow
patriots championed the cause OF the people
against the crown, II is the sovereign who TO-
day is chhmpioning the cause Of the downtrod-
den masses of the kingdom of Hungary against
the territorial aristocracy and rich bourgeoisie.
arrayed. strange to say, under the leadership of
old Kossuth's son Francis. In 1S4S and 1888
classes and masses were united in Hungary,
against Austria and the dynasty. To-day they
are lined up one against the other. with the
masses in overwhelming majority and strong
in the support OF the crown The classes, there
fore, cannot afford TO go 10 the length Of civil
war. They would be crushed.
In all this Austria remains a passive specta-
tor Although feeble attempt has been made
by Count Apponyt and his fellow Nationalist TO
represent the course adopted by the Emperor as
an attempt on the part of Austria TO deprive
Hungary OF her rights, II has failed TO find
any echo. The quarrel is a purely Translei-
than affair Of course the Austrians have
their syn1pathies and. whereas the aristocracy
are inclined 10 favor their fellow mobiles in Hun
gary and TO condemn Francis Joseph for resort
tria look forward 10 a victory Of the democracy
in the Magyar kingdom. And victory is virtu-
ally certain Whether the means adopted by the
Emperor in proclaiming universal suffrage are
strictly constitutional is 4 question about which
there Will always be diversity OF opinion.
The Nationalists hold that Parliament alone
had the right TO extend The suffrage by means
of a law; which. of course it would never under
any circumstances have enacted. On the other
hand the Emperor starts out from the principle
that the whole Of the government was origi-
naIy vested in the crown. that the political pre-
negatives of the people and it's admission TO a
voice in the affairs of the country are conces-
sions by the crown and have been accepted as
such. and that this being the case the crown
has a perfect right still further 70 increase the
privileges Of the people in the way of parlia-
mentary government. no natter how much class
opposition there may be TO the royal gift mas
much, however, every parliament once elected
represents the national will. expressed at that
moment. and its acts become law when they re-
ceive the sanction Of the crown. fl is difficult
to see how any serious issue can be raised as to
the legality Of the next legislature at Buda-
pest especially its existence Will rest on much
broader foundations than any Of its predecessors,
namely. the will Of the whole people, as ex-
pressed by universal suffrage.
How long suffering, patient and liberal Fran
els Joseph has been In his dealings with the
Hungarian "Nationalists" as they somewhat
misleadngly style themselves. may be seen by
the report published by one Of their leaders.
Count Andrassy. of his Anal interviews with the
monarch just prior TO the dissolution of Par
Lament on Monday last The Emperor offered
the legislative majority the task of forming a
Cabinet, declaring that he would give to the
latter. as regards the internal affairs of the
kingdom. an entirely free hand. But he de-
clined all concessions OF g. military character
and insisted upon the acceptance of the COM
mercial treaty with Germany which had been ne
gotiated by the crown for both moieties OF the
dual empire. The Nationalists would only agree
10 conclude separate commercial treaty with
Germany as an independent state and solely
upon the basis OF an independent customs tariff.
Inc Nanonahsts also made a sine qua non Of