The Washington herald., 1911-06-04
EMPIRE MAY FALL
WITH RULERS END
Franz JOsef's Death Feared
by Nations Diplomats.
RIVALS FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Statesmen Apprehend Disaster-DuaI
Monarchy Composed of Fighting
FactiOns-People Have Conflicting
Claims-subjects Respect Aged EN-
peFor-Successor In Unpopular.

Vienna, June 3-What Is worrying
statesmen and diplomats the most at
present is the fact that it can no longer
be concealed that not very many months
will pass before the aged Emperor Fran
els Josef will join his ancestors. and
the anticipation of his death fills all with
dread and apprehension.
The dual empire that he has ruled for
SO many years is like a volcano. always
seething with excitement. and an erup-
ton is almost certain when Francis Josef
passes away.
The Emperor himself feels that his
strength is ebbing away. He is signing
for rest. and he surely deserves to be
permitted to hand over the cares Of the
state to a younger man, for the work
he has done would long ago have killed
any man not endowed with the mental
capacity and physical stamina Of a giant.
For the last forty years Austria has
been chiefly concerned with two impor-
tant interests. The government has had
to attempt an arrangement OF the con-
fiicting claims and rights of the people
constituting the empire: 1t has had to
establish relations with the great neigh
boring powers-Germany and Russia
The main difficulties of the Austro-
Hungary Empire have been, however.
within her own borders, particularly with
the aggressive nationalism Of Hungary.
and her demand for fuller home rule,
even in regard to her army. Then the
multiplicity Of races. together with their
mutual Jealousies renders the task OF
the Emperor all the more delicate.
People Seek Ruler.
Nothing could be more characteristic
than the scene In his ante-chamber Of
the Hofburg, where he was In residence
at Vienna. The great room was filed
with cardinals and prelates, generals.
statesmen, great mobiles, and magnates.
and mingling with these rich and mighty
ones were Bohemian bricklayers. Styr-
ian farmers, peasants from Upper Aus
tria, humble shopkeepers from the poorer
classes of Vienna, and village priests,
all waiting to pour their several troubles
into the ears of their Emperor.
Now his failing health has compelled
him to abandon the practice. and he
has not even been able to turn this part
Of his duties over to his successor. for
his nephew, Prince Franz Ferdinand. is
a naughty. unpopular person. whom no
one cares to approach, because he con-
siders misef far above even the high.
est Of his future subjects
At present the aged Emperor is .
lonely and pathetic figure. He has lost
kingdoma has memories Of domestic
tragedies. which in number scarce have
a parallel. He has made brave hight.
and herein hes his compensations-he
has won the love Of his subjects and
the honor Of the civilized world.
When III fortune was dogging his foot
steps he was ever ready to make the
best Of what remained. In the darkest
hours Of Austrian history he showed .
resourcefulness which made his mon
archy, freed his people. and modern.
ixcd their politics, but when he dies. .
great empire viii probably soon fan
asunder. This Is the dark cloud which
threatens the peace Of Europe.