The sun., 1914-08-18

house but his people and an unflnch-
ing loyalty to such engagements as he
entered into
On the whole he impressed himself
favorably on his own people and on
Europe at large. He gradually pla-
Gated the Hungarians 80 that. however
restive they remain under the close as
ISOLATION with Austria. they are af-
fcctlonate and faithful To him person
ally. In his other domjnions he has
threaded the maze of racial dscord
with wonderful success. and In spite Of
endless provocation and discourage
ment he has maintained free elections
and parliamentary institutions without
swerving In any crisis from the policy
he had once accepted.
The foreign relations of his reign
make a strange story. Always defeat
ed. he was never seriously loser. In
1859 France forced him to give mp his
Italian domnions, but out Of the war
Austria found "A new birth in credit
and morale. The campaign of Sadowa
made his empire deHnltiyely the sec
ond Power in Central Europe. He
lost the primacy Of the German States
which had been the immemorial ap-
panage of his House; he saw them
carry their force over to q rival IN
inimical power. But by transcend
ant sacrifice of pride aud mastery
stroke Of diplomacy he almost restored
his old influence In the councils ~
Europe by allylng himself with he
winning side.
In virtue of this alliance FRANCIS
JosErH continued TO figure for forty
years as the friend and promoter Of
peace. More than once. as In the Al.
geclras days. he was credited with the
decisive word which compelled com.
promise and averted war. His realm
despite its internal chickering's pro-
gressed In enlightenment. In wealth
and In military force. Never fertile
in the field OF letters. 1t has contributed
much TO the world in painting, music
and science. It's trade and industries
have grown and recently II has made
li'lh'A' ''AAihl'S III Nh' NV Ni'l WI N'd-
borne commerce. 1t has begun the
creation of modern navy and Its
army is inferior only IN those Of Ger
many and France.
Now in his old age. on this eighty
fourth birthday, which may not i'm
possibly be his last, the Emperor King
finds himself in the most desperate
crisis of his reign. six years ago,
acting on who shall say what impulse
or under what pressure from his adj
v!sers, he departed from his long de.
votlon to peace and in the annexation
OF the protected provinces of Bosnia
and Herzegovina brought Europe to
the brink Of war. The shadow
passed, hut 1t was seen that Austria
Hungary. along with much wealth and
many people. had Incorporated new
elements of trouble in her own system
and invited new dangers.
The fruition Of the bold act Of 1908
came a few weeks ago with the muir
der Of the Emperor's heir In the Bos-
nian capital, leading to the declaration
OF punitive war on SeTNlh ana rue
embodiment Of Europe. And 50 the
old man who began his reign in trlbu-
lation sits in his capital to-day beset
by foes on all sides. What must he
his fears and his anxicties for the
outcome OF the great struggle brought
on In his name? Is he 10 live 10 see
the great heritage OF the IIapSburss
prey to rhe spoiler from without and
strange fortune which has attended his
career as a ruler stlll protecting him
and will he be able out Of all his dltii
cultles TO derive new vitality, new
| hold on the future for his empire and
| his line?