Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-08

point OF view-to amalgamate the recruits.
To teach them pride In the empire. and pa
trfotism. For that reason 1t Is the policy
OF the military department to mix them as
much as possible so as to rub on their pro-
vincialisms. and to make the representatives
OF the different races intimate with each
other. One company may contain men from
every part of the empire. It is also fixed
policy not to allow any soldier to serve
among his own people, but to throw him as
much as possible into the society of other
sections.
German is the official language of the
army. and the nlnety-eight German words
OF command furnish the first lesson of the
recruits. This is the beginning OF the train
Ing and education which the soldiers re-
ceive; from that they are continually Inn
pressed with ideals Of patriotism and their
obligation to their sovereign. Thus. when
they are discharged-one-thirdo of the entire
force every year-they return to their homes
thoroughly Germanized and loyal support
ers OF the Hapsburg dynasty.
The consequences of the army training
are fully recognized in Hungary and are ex-
asperating to people whose aspirations for
political freedom are so eager. Hungary
wants her soldiers to stay at home. She
wants her own army, with none but Hunga-
rams in the ranks and none but Hungarians
to command. and she wants the soldiers
taught the Hungarian language and loyalty
to Hungary, rather than Austria But when
that is conceded the Poles, the Bohemians.
the Czechs. the Croatians and all the other
provinces that possess racial pride and
cherish national aspirations Will make the
same demands.
The Austro-Hungarian Pact.
The bond between Austria and Hungary
is nearly $50 years old. On February %.
1926, the Hungarian reichstag, in session at
Pressburg. elected the Archduke Ferdinand
of Austria as King of Hungary. II was a
voluntary act. but the Hungarians were
never reconciled to it. They have always
been in arms against their elected kings;
they have always been fighting for polit-
ical and religious concessions and against
the Austrian influences. There have been
several armed revolutions. In 1913 Hungary
tried to secede from the union. but was
crushed with the help OF Russia This de-
feat die not humble the people, but stimu-
lated their determination. and every time
Austria has made them concessions they
have demanded more. Finally in 1865 a
moro satisfactory than any previous rela-
tions, and has maintained the peace for
forty years.
The liberal party has been In power in
Hungary since 1887. and has supported the
emperor. But at the elections last Febru-
airy, to the establishment Of everybody. the
various elements Of opposition. united under
the name of the coalition party. obtained a
majority in the parliament This was a
bloodless revolution. Tho leaders under
took such radical measures that the cham
Der of deputies was dissolved by force. The
emperor sent commissioner with q royal
rescript dismissing the parliament and send
ing the members to their homes. me
deputies passed a resolution declaring his
act unconstitutional and illegal, and ad-
journed, leaving the document lying I'M
opened upon the floor. The next day the
commissioner entered the chamber with a
military guard and attempted to read the
rescript. but the deputies united in singing
a patriotic hymn SO that not word could
be heard. The commissioner then declared
the chamber adjourned without date and
the noisy members. consenting to the situa-
ton, dispersed. 1t was narrow escape
from an armed revolution.
Concessions by the Emperor.
New elections were ordered. The coali-
ton, or anti-government party, was again
successful, but its leaders consented to a
compromise. under which all disputed Ques-
lions were to be postponed for two years
until public order could be thoroughly re-
stored. and normal conditions resumed.
The emperor has consented to new customs
treaties. and a revision OF the tariff, with
distinct advantages to Hungary. 1t Is
probable also that other OF the demands
have recited will be complied with. The
coalition ministry has agreed not to stir
up the people until the end Of two years.
In the meantime It is proposed to have a
new election on basis Of universal suf-
frage. At present suffrage is limited to land
owners, taxpayers and the educated classes
generally, embracing about one-tenth OF
the population. The working classes and
the peasants have had no votes. but here
after they will be admitted to the fran
chise, and the next parliament will be
elected two years from now on that basis.
It Is probable also that a new compact
between the two nations will be arranged
upon basis that will give both Austria
and Hungary practical Independence OF
each other. with the emperor as a connect
ing link. But, the latter. SO long as he
lives, will never agree to the Hungarian
demands concerning the army. because he
realizes that it will be the end of the en-
pire.
Radical Hungarians will never be salts
fed with anything else. They Will not con-
sent to anything short of complete; inde-
pendence. They are already talking of a
republic. which they expect to emerge from
the coming commissions, to be called THE
United States OF Austria-Hungary." That.
they claim. Ia the only solution Of the
problem, the only basis OF peace. and for
that they will resist all compromises. They
insist that the fight must be fought out
now, and that any postponement will only
increase the difficulties Of a settlement.