New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-14
Archduke's English Visit
Made Against the Wishes
of Franz Josef.
FEARED AROUSING
FRENCH JEALOUSY
Aged Monarch's Approximations
Far from Groundless,
Results Prove.
[ BY Gable to The Tribune. ]

Vienna, Dec. 13.-It is stated here on
the highest authority that the sudden
visit to England last month Of Arch
duke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to
| the throne, was undertaken not at the
| instance of the Emepror, as has been
generally averred, but without his con-
sent and almost against his directly ex-
pressed wishes.
The views of the Emperor were, prin-
cpally, that inasmuch as England is a
member of the Triple Entente and that
the general lines OF her policy as such
| are fixed no real good could be ac-
complished by an unofficial attempt to
unsettle those lines; and further, that
| inasmuch as England throughout the
| Balkan troubles had at all critical
junctures observed an attitude de-
! cdedly friendly to Austria Hungary,
and has since manifested her friendli-
| ness more than once, especially in the
Albanian delimitation broil, 1t was wise
! to leave well enough alone and not
arouse the jealousy OF France further
by visible efforts 10 cement and regu-
late or else extend this voluntary
friendship.
However. Count Berchtold, Secretary
| Of Foreign Affairs for the dual mon
archy. for purposes of his own, on this
occasion sided with Archduke Francis
Ferdinand and it is even intimated
that in measure he instigated the
whole move. The aged Emperor IS
rather incensed at this patent disre-
gard of his desires, and there is now
something like discord obtaining be-
tween him and his declared heir.
Bearer Of Proposals.
II would seem that the wise old
monarch was right in his conJectures
as TO the ultimate outcome Of this visit
to England. It is known that the arch
duke was the bearer Of distinct pro-
posals coming from the responsible
leader Of Austria Hungarys foreign af-
fairs, and il is believed that these pro-
posals had. among other points, special
reference TO the dual monarchy's naval
ambitions In the Mediterranean, a
point on which, II need hardly be re-
F, called, England is very sensitive and
interested. as is Germany. on the
ground that Austria Hungary does not
bear her full snare as an ally IL she
neglects the enlargement and perfect
l.. col tRFfsl oil n
sympathy for England. holds the same
view in this respect that Germany does.
1t is now whispered in high circles.
and the report is undoubtedly accurate.
| that while the reception accorded to
Archduke Francis Ferdinand in Eng
land was in all respects extremely cor
dial. the proposals referred to above
were frankly turned down." both by
Sir Edward Grey and Premier Asquith.
So that IN the main nothing has been
| gained politically in England by this
visit. And as for France, looking from
the first greatly askance at this visit
to her own ally. palpable damage has
actually been done.
Changed His Paris Plans.
( II had been the intention Of Francis
Ferdinand. in case it was deemed ad-
visable, TO pay flying visit TO Paris
ON his return trip and confer In "a
friendly spirit not only with some OF
the leading French statesmen. but also
with several Of her great iinanciers,
with a view to loosening up the Paris
money market for future Hungarian
and Austrian loans. These are, indeed
az everybody here comedies, very much
needed both. now and in the near
| future.
But the attitude of The entire
French public world, press included
was so outspokenly hostile to any such
attempt that on the counsel Of the
Austro- Hungarian Ambassador In
Paris. the archduke at the last moment
abandoned his Idea.
II was, in fact, while Francis Ferdi-
nand was basking in the royal sun
shine by the Thames that the french
Premier, in a public speech, strohgly
advised against lending French money
to any OF the Dreibund powers, money
which subsequently may be used
against France in the shape Of Dread
noughts or bullets" as M. Barthou
nbrased il. The new Doumergue- Call
laux regime in France will certainly
he Of the same mind on this point as
it's predecessor.
Thus, in this respect also. the visit
of the archduke must be termed
failure.
UNIONIST GAIN IN LANARK