The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-06
Metternich Foe of Constitutionalism.

Metternich Foe of Constitutionalism.
 The man who dominated Austria and who imposed his ideas not only upon the congress- Vienna but upon all Europe for many years Prince Metternich. For years he had fought Napoleon in the halls of diplomacy and he all credit for the latter's downfall Proud wealthy, abIe he pressed his way along the devious lnes of diplomacy, getting his will, by obstinacy, now by hnesss. His ambition and his sef-esteem almost make Napo- Icons seem like humility.
 He was the uncompromsihg foe of republican ideas constitutionalism, he the stout sup porter of monarchcal nbsoutism. He looked upon countries with parliaments as ungoverned. For years he successful but he failed as many others have done. because his vision did not penetrate far enough into the future, and because like the ruler Hs served we'll he could the popular will
 Austria, by the treaty of Paris, constituted of much the same heterogeneous peoples It included Germans, Bohemians Hungarans, Mora vans, Silesans, Italians Croatians and other peo- pss loosely hung together but as diverse .n interests they in language It was this mixture of 2S0DO0 900 proud and turbulent people which Metter mich and Francis l. tried rule with the clumsy government of system. The peasants in many parts in a state of abject serfdom Hun gary had parliament. but the imperial government largely neglected it, and it not called together until 1925. None but the upper class repre- sented in it.
 Repression the -rder of the day n Austria. No liberal books newspapers were allowed to cir cuate. The universities parodies as real education went Government permission was re- quired before Austrian subject could go abroad. Progress in any department Of life almost mpos- sible.
 The Confederation of the Rhine, which had in part succeeded to the place of the Holy Roman empire, another loose collection of states joined together by Napoleon. Out of .his came the German confed- eraon of 1S15 The various rulers sent to the diet at Frankfort delegates who did what they were told to do They did not legislate but took action only diplomatic matters The representation was out of all proportion to the size and importance of the countries concerned.
 federal act adopted, but it still left the con federation loose and clumsy. Each member had its representation abroad citizen Of Saxony Saxon not German citizen. Any state could make treaty with foreign nation so long as that treaty did not endanger the conferedaton itself All states must remain at peace with each other, and they must support the confederation in foreign war Three foreign rulers were represented in it. It was about poor system could be devised. Blow at German Unity.
 No people outside of France had embraced liberal ideas with enthusiasm than the Germans. The new movement gained tremendous impetus there All classes save the nobles and court circles did what they could to advance it. Some had even looked upon Napoleon a liberator.
 When, therefore, the old rule of absolutism was restored resentment fared up in many quarters The Germans had been strong for unity What Vienna had given them made them anything but united. There was German citizenship for which they had ionged. Each state had laws widely different from the others There was no central government. There was not even German king. The only thing they had in common their language.
 They were denied popular representation. The diet did not represent the people. There would have been parliament in each of the thirty-siehr states but Metternich had deteatsd that at Vienna Consti tutons came to few of tho statss before 1921, bus in the others the people remained for many yearA To covstous Austria this was an ad- 2 vantaga
 But the libsrals did not loss heart At Wartbure in lsl7 there met patriotic socety devoted to rhs unity of Germany at which ths delegates from all the confederation solemnly dedicated ehsn.elvss to that object Aftss inpsssohed spsschsv thsy us.s into bonfire certain trac tho tlibrsaiity cf which had plsassd Fpsdsrtok winitn q psuu.iA rson