New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
FRICTION AT COURT.

This, coming from a statesman who is
not only Minister OF Foreign Affairs but
also Chancellor of the Dual Empire and
Minister of the Imperial House, the lat
fer's most confidential adviser therefore
and the custodian of all its family and
state secrets-in one word, the cnlei
dignitary of the court and of the empire,
can be interpreted to mean nothing else
than that there is every foundation for
the report of pronounced differences be-
tween Emperor Francis Joseph and ms
nephew and next heir.
Count d'Aehrenthal's confirmation OF
the stories that divergences or opinion
exist between the venerable monarch OF
Austria Hungary and the next Emperor
was scarcely necessary. For in the clos
ing days of the last year the pariia-
mentary delegations were treated 10 an
episode which left no doubt as TO the
differences existing in highest quarters.
The speech of Count d'Aehrenthai' as
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, favoring the
continuance Of friendly relations with
Italy. the maintenance of the status quo
in the Balkans. the avoidance OF every
thing calculated to embroil Austria Hun
gary in foreign complications-a speech
in one word, which was redolent OF peace
was followed Immediately by an ad-
dress Of the new Minister Of War, Gen
eral Won Auffenberg, presenting diamet-
rically contrary views. Indeed, the speech
of the general was most unfriendly IN
tone toward Italy-actually' hostile py
imtdication. 1t demanded large credits
for the purpose Of Strengthening the de-
fences of the Dual Empire along the
border line of Italy, so as to be prepared
for any eventuality in connection with
that power and in order to be in posi-
tion 10 render a more vigorous and use
full support to Austria's northern ally
namely Germany-in her troubles WIN
foreign powers.
The parliamentary delegation, which
had cordially indorsed the statesmanlike
utterances of Count d'Aehrenthal whom
they assumed TO represent the views OF
the aged Emperor, were dumfounded by
this sOrtie on the part OF the Minister
Of War; all the more as il was generally
known that he is devoted to Arch
duke Francis Ferdinand and i'm thorough
sympathy with his opinions In connec-
tion with Italy and with Germany
There is no doubt that If d'Aehrenthals s
position depended merely on q parlia-
mentary majority he would remain at
the helm Of the Austro- Hungarian ship
Of state But he realizes full we'll that
with his sovereign in frail and feeble
health, who. owing to his advanced years.
may at any moment be gathered TO his
fathers i'm the vaults Of the Capucin
Church, at Vienna. or who may be COM
PEELED by increasing infrmities of age TO
surrender the reins Of government to his
fephew, as regent. his own situation is
bound 70 becom. untenable ere long, and
thatunder tine circumstances 1t Is more
prudent to resign OF his own account
before waiting to be frozen out
ARCHDUKE'S OPEN AVoWAL.
II the slightest doubt remained as to
the attitude of the future Emperor
toward Count dAehrenthal, II must as
suredly be set at rest by the extraordi-
nary statement issued to the press by
the archdukes military "chancellerie'
that is to gay, by his military secretary.
II was published about two weeks be-
fore the gathering OF the parliamentary
delegations at Vienna This statement
gaze expression 10 the archdukes pro-
nounced disspproval Of the removal OF
General Conrad yon Hotzendorf from
the Office of chief of the general stan Of