Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-15
IF EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH
DIES HUNGARY MAY CUT LOOSE
FROM RULE OF AUSTRIA cAPl-
tai.
REPORTS TODAY
MORE FAVORABLE
EMPEROR AROSE TODAY FEELING
MORE COMFORTABLE, Al.
THOUGH HE WAS DISTURBED
BY COUGHING DURING NIGHT.

Vienna, Oct. Ia. Optimistic ac-
counts of the progress made by EN-
peror Francis Joseph were received
from the castle this morning. Through
the night he was repeatedly disturb
ed by fits Of coughing, but the empo.
ror felt more comfortable when he
arose and was in a more cheerful
mood than usual.
Empire is Faltering.
Austria and Hungary's relations
have never been SO close as might
have been wished, and too otter there
has appeared the spectre Of separa-
tion. Hungary. with Its proud Mag.
years has chafed under what 1t has
felt to be the second place In the
monarchy, and its citizens have de-
manded greater rights and greater
privileges in the nation. But the
love. and it was felt that as long as
he should live the dual monarchy
would be SAFE With his death all
would be changed.
The dismemberment Of Austria and
Hungary would mean a far greater
change in the map Of Europe than
I dividing line between Austrians and
Hungarians and different rulers aC
Vienna and Buda-Pesth.
Chafe Cnder Vienna Rule.
Many of the other constituent parts
of Austria Bohemia, Crotia, Ru-
thenia and the minor divisions
have also chafed under the share of
the burdens and privileges of the gov
ernment, and the dissolution would
be signal for re-arrangement of
their positions in the political field.
And beyond this would come the
probable disruption Of the triple a1li-
ance Of Germany, Austria and Italy.
i There are plenty Of reports abroad
concerning the anxiety of the diplo-
mats who are here. Many Of them,
who have watched carefully the situa-
tion in this nation declare that with
the death of Francis Joseph the dis
memberment Of the monarchy is at
hand.
Ready for Revolt.
The authorities are known to be
!, prepared for such an event and have
, long planned measures to forestall
any separatist movement, especially
in Buda-P -Pesth, Prague and Trieste.
And even should no immediate sep
aration take place, even the staunch-
est supporters of the present regime
admit that the death of Francis 10,
ISSpu Will plo9S d CllppHu5 Wchhuoba
in the realm, and that the government
! at Vienna will lose much of It's infiu.
ence which the love and sympathy Of
, Francis Joseph has bred even in the
most distant parts of this conglomers
ate nation.
Triple Alliance at Stake.
Since the death Of the emperor has
been really feared, carefully inspired
reports have been sent out from Ber-
lin declaring that officials Of the Ger.
man government who have been
watching the political conditions OF
Y Austria-Hungary see no cause for
/ alarm. and insist that the death Of
$ the emperor will make no change In
I the status of the nation. Men who
n feel that dismemberment is approach
:. ing, however, declare that these re
u ports are issued at Berli nonly be
a cause that capital feels that the triple
alliance is in the balance, with thF
It monarchy of Austria-Hungary, and
$ that Berlin of1icialdom will do any
$ thing in it's power to prevent dis
r ruption of the empire upon whose
Q continued existence depends 80 much
of German prestige, not only on tho
Z continent Of Europe, but Throughout
s the world For despite the myriee
e tongues that are spoken within the
II boundary Of Austria-H Hungary, 1t Is re
n ally a German nation.
II Naturally the conversation anon.
e diplomats is almost entirely on the
g question of what would happen in case
e, of the death Of the old monarch, who
n next year would celebrate the six
i tieth anniversary Of his accession II
1T the throne. having witnessed during
IS his long reign greater political ant
1t family catastrophes than any Twins
Y. ruler, from the battle of Koniggrat;
to the loss Of Lombardi and Yenlrla
and from the incurable infirmity O
the Empress Elizabeth to her murde
e by an anarchist, beside the TRACED.
y which led to the death of Prince Duke
r Rudolph.
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