The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-13
FRANCIS JOSEPH'S REIGN BEGAN WITH
 RESURRECTION


 Reports Of alleged riots and inter. nal discontent in the patchwork en- pfre of Francis Joseph recall the fact that the Austrian Enpefors long reign began with an insurrection which for a time threatened to dis rupt the country. It was on March 13s 184S, sixty-seven years ago today that revolution broke out in Vienna which shook the nation to it's very foundations, and which resulted in the flight of N1etternich, the abdication of the imbeci1e and weak Emperor Ferdi- nandf ". and the accession. of the youthful Francis Joseph to the throne of the Dual Monarchy.
 The year of 1848 was a memorable one in Europe. The revolution in France, which resulted in the down. fall of Louis Philippe and the estab- 5ishrnent of the second republics spread like an electric thrill over western Europe. Germany, Italy and England were convu1sed, but it was in Austria. that the insurrection assumed the most threatening attitude For forty years AGetternich had been the real ruler of the empire, and he rep resented the very incarnation of re- actionary policies. The dissatisfac in Poland, Bohemia and Hungary was quickly reflected in Vienna and the popu1ace took up the cry, Down with MetternichI' The Provincial Estates were convened March lSIhs ana on that day the whole city was in a. turmoil. A vast crowd assembled and surrounded the hall. and the spokes- man for the people demanded free dom of the press, open session of the courts, a general parliament to which all classes should be eligible, and other reforms.
 Soldiers sought to drive away the clanorols mob, but the people were aroused to fury and desperate series of hand o-hand battles were fought in the streets. The Emperor was spirited away and kept in concealment, and Metternich went into hiding. The veteran statesman contrived on the following day to escape the vengeance of the people he had despoi1ed by concea1fng himself in a laundry cart. Covered with dirty clothing, he made his way out of the capital where he had so long ruled as supreme master. The craven Emperor gave a verbal promise to grant all the reforms de- manded, but he soon became fright ened and fled from the capital He returned in May, but another insur- left the city. In the meantime the Bohemians were up in arms, and Hungary soon afterward engaged in open revolution. The Slavic peoples. constituting so large part of the population of the empire, also sought
 
 which was then largely dominated by Austria, the flames of insurrection spread rapidly.
 Before the year had passed Elm peror Ferdinand abdicated in favor of his nephew, and Francis Joseph as- cended the Austria nthrone, to begin the longest reign in the history of modern Europe. Although only a boy, Francis Joseph ruled with an iron hand. He showed no mercy in dealing with those whom he consid- cred the foes of his dynasty, but exe- cuted all the conspirators and leaders of the rebellion. It was the mother of a young rebel put to death by his 1 order, who, after appealing in vain to the young Emperor, pronounced the famous Hapsburg curse'' which has | come so strangely true in the tragic career of Francis Joseph.
 In accepting the throne, Francis Joseph declared, stWe hope with the aid of God and in concert with our peoples to succeed in reuniting i'm one great state body all the countries and all the races of the monarchy '' Thanks to the dissension between the l warning peoples of his empire, Fran cis Joseph realized that hope. a1- though he soon lost his control over Italy.