Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-24


VI, who was succeeded by his only daugh-
ter. the great Maria Theresa.
She married Francis l of the house of
Lorraine, and thereby became the founder
Francis I was the first sovereign who as
sumed the title of Emperor Of Austria,
and ruled in Bohemia by force rather
than by the consent of the people.
Home Rule Provided.
Bohmia has it's full share of repre-
sentation in the imperial Austrian diet
in addition to a provincial diet of its
own. which looks after local interests,
and is really quite as Independent as any
other state in Europe SO far As practice
goes. The people have absolute control
of their own affairs. and the imperial
authority is felt only in their foreign re-
lations, in customs duties and military
matters.
The provincial diet makes the laws. The
provincial authorities execute them. There
is no pressure upon the people SO far as
their own local affairs are concerned.
But national pride and dignity require
that king should reside in the ancient
palace on Hradcany Hill. instead of
governor. That sentiment finds EXPIRES
sion on every occasion.
Just now there is good deal of talk
of revolution when Francis Joseph dies.
Although Franz Ferdinand, his nephew.
who will be his successor, married a Bo-
hemian bride, he unpopular among her
fellow countrymen, as he is everywhere
else in the empire.
Bohemians don't want him. They say
that if they must have an Austrian to
rule over them they would prefer young
But they want Bohemian and not an
Austrian king.
Provincial State Objected To.
The Czechs are sensitive. because
Bohemia is treated as mere province of
the empire. With the imperial family
and the Austrian people at large they
are in permanent state of feud.
Their greatest grievance is tnat, while
Francis Joseph has been proclaimed and
crowned King of Hungary-has recognized
meutary existence o. tie Hungarian
kingdom, and permits Hungary TO have
ministry of its OWN. Bohemia has no
king and no ministry. and is merely q
province of the empire, like lStria, Da.-
malta and the Iyroi.
If Francis Joseph had been SO concila-
tory as to have himself crowned King OF
Bohemia, perhaps the Czechs would nave
been satisfied. But among the popula-
ton of that race there is universal dis
content.
The people adored the Archduhe Ru-
dolph, who killed himself twenty years
ago He used to come to Prague fire.
uuentiy and spent much time there
The guide who shows people through
the royal palace will tell you that the
spanish Hall. said to be the largest apart
ment i'm any residence in Europe, being
| IA feet long, seventy-two feet wide md
th;rty-six feet high. was illuminated by
| 1900 candles in 1885. at a ball when
Rudolph came of age. He pointed ont to
us every room and every article that
was associated with Rudolph in any way.
The old emperor has not been here since
| 1907. The big hall was last used Tor "a
levee in his honor at that time.
| Franz Ferdinand. who is TO be the next
emperor, lived at Prague for several
wears as Governor of Bohemia. He GILL
| ed the warm-bearted CZechs with his cold
manners and exclusive disposition. and
they were glad when he was gone.
Splendid Deserted Palace.
| Tie splendid palace where the splendid
kings of Bohemia reigned in glory has
- IT,. yl,x ti,N,. ~