The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-29
Reactionary at Home. A9orcs-
sivc Abroad, Prospect Of Ele-
walton Caused Anxiety.
Ky u. CU>LIFFE-Ow


1t Is difficult to discuss the tragedy at
Serejavo yesterday without laying one
self open to the reproach of hcartlessness.
For while IL is only natural that one
should be stricken with horror at the
brutal and shocking assassination OF
Archduke Francis Ferdinand. 1t Is Inn
possible to deny the fact that his dis
appearance from the scene is calculated
to diminish the tenseness of the situation
without the dual empire.
To such an extent has Francis Ferd-
nand been regarded both at home and
abroad as disturbing factor and as COM
mitted to forceful and extremely aggres-
sive policies that the news OF his death
Is almost calculated to create "A feeling
Of universal relief
For several years past the Emperor.
owing TO age and mhrmity had asso-
ciated his nephew and heir apparent with
him In the duties OF sovereignty, He
had been prompted ir the matter by his
patriotic desire to initiate the Archduke
to such an extent into the multifarious
responsibilities of rulership that when
the time came for him to sing his "Nunc
Dimittis' and TO lay down his weary
head in that wonderful crypt OF the
Capuchin Church a; Vienna, where over
/ 200 OF the Hapsburgs sleep their last
sleep. the succession OF the crown might
take place without any undue jolt or dis
turbance OF the intricate machinery pi the
Iual empire. with its near score of rival
| al
whose principal bond OF union is to he
! found in their affection for that Nestor
OF European monarchs, Francis Joseph
| of Austria.
The Emperor has had several severe
illnesses during the last six or seven
years. illnesses which had the effect of
vesting in the hands of Francis Ferdinand
far greater degree of power than had
ever been intended by his uncle Once
| possessed OF this power, II was difficuit
| to deprive the Archduke thereof. without
precpitating one OF those open breaks
between the sovereign and the heir APP
parent which have played SO important
"A role in the history OF monarchical coun-
tries to the detrment y: the interests
both of the dynasty and of the nation.
HIS IsurpRtiOn of Power.
But what with Ferdinand's ever increas-
ing usurpaton of power, and the En-
perors quiet and determined efforts ia
! restrain him, situation was created
which frequently proved cause of great
emharrasseme OF the Ministers Of the
Crown and to the commanding officers OF
the army and navy,
During the Emperors illnesses that
Is to say when his restraining hand was
relaxed, Francis Ferdinand furnished
evidences OF a masterfulness which bodied
III for the future OF Austria and Hungary
1t is notorious that he strongly resented
and openly disapproved OF the concessions
which the Emperor had made TO Hungary
with the object of proptiating Magyar
sentiment lie looked upon them IN
dangerous surrenders to the Nationalist
aspirations OF Hungary. as calculated 10
impair the strength of the dual empire
and conveyed the impression that once
on the throne he would stand no nonsense
from the Magyars, aud would II necessary
reduce them to the subsection In which
they were held prior to the revival OF their
constitution by Francis Joseph In 1867.
Twice the Archduks brought his coun
try to the very brink OF war with Rus
STA and on three occasions also will
Servia, while four years ago he adopted
so aggressive "A policy toward italy thai
hostilties seemed imminent and were onl,
averted by the timely recovery OF tn,
Emperor from his Illness and by his put
ting the brakes on both the military anC
political activities OF his Government
Austria and Italy are theoretically ant
offcially allies, as joint members 81 tina
Triple Alliance in which Germany may h,
said to play the dominant role Yet Fran
els Ferdinand WAS so open in his demon
STATIONS of hostility toward Italy ant
toward her rcigning house as TO nrmi,