Evening star., 1915-12-01
AUSTRIAN CABINET
SHAKE-UP FOLLOWS
VISIT OF THE KAISER
Three Men Step Down in First
War Ministerial Crisis
of Central Powers.
SPECULATION is RIFE
AS TO POSSIBLE CAUSE
Purported Efforts of Vienna to OBJ
tain Peace Declared to Be
Partly Responsible.
THE GERMAN RULER OPPOSES
Rumanian Menace Also Said to Fig
ure in Situation-Further Efforts
to End Conflict Reported
From Switzerland.
SPECULATION is RIFE
AS TO POSSIBLE CAUSE
THE GERMAN RULER OPPOSES

LONDON. December Il
Closely following the visit OF
Emperor William to Vienna
comes the news that three mem
bers OF the Austrian cabinet have
resigned, the withdrawing mem
bers being the ministers of the in
terror, commerce and finance.
Their successors have been
named.
The designations and the Ger
man emperors visit have given
rise to a wide range OF speculation
as to the present state OF affairs
i'll Austria, particularly as to
whether the happenings have any
connection with rumored peace
moves by Austria, or to conces-
sions that might be desired OF her
with view to the maintenance
OF Kumanlan neutrality.
designations Confirmed.
Reports that several members of the
Austrian cabinet have resigned are
confirmed by an autograph letter from
Emperor Francis Joseph. published in
the. Wisner Zeitung of Vienna. The
emperor has! accepted the designations
of DR.. Karl Heinold d'USynski, minister
Of the interior; DIR. Dudolf Schuster
Won Bonnott, minister of commerce,
and Baron Engel Won Mainfe1don. min
lister of finance.
Acceptance of these designations is
qualified with the proviso that the
services of the retiring ministers are to
be available if required.
DR.. HeiHold and Baron Engel have
been appointed members of the upper
house. while the rank of freiherr has
been conferred on DIR. Schuster.
Successors Are Named.
Prince Hohenlohe schillingfuerst
president of the supreme court of ac-
counts. has been appointed minister of
the interior; Ritter Won Leth. governor
of the postal savings bank. minister of
finance. and Herr Won SpitzminlIer, di-
rector> of the kredit anstalt. minister
OF commerce.
This is the most important change
which has been made in any of the ca b.
Inets of the central powers during the
war. These cabinets hitherto have re-
nained virtually intact, although coali-
ton government have been formed in
England and France and there have
been number of Withdrawals from the
Russian cabinet.
1t is declared in authoritative circles
. IN Vienna that Emperor Williams
visit to Vienna was without particular
political purpose.
Kaiser's Purported Object.
ROME. December 1.-The real object
OF Emperor Williams visit to Vienna
was 10 put stop 10 efforts Austria is
making. by means of negotiations
through Madrid with the Vatican, to
obtain a separate peace with the quad
ruple entente says the Tribuna.
Vienna and Berlin disa gree on the
treat separately with each of the allies
so as TO break up the quadruple en-
feute, and then TO crush England, but
Vienna desires real and lasting peace
to end the tension, which rapidly is be-
coming too great for Austria 10 bear"
Apprehension Excited
ZURICH, Switzerland. December Il
EUmors of changes in the Austrian
cabinet have excited surprise and some
apprehension in political circles in
vienna. according 10 advices received
here from the Austrian capital.
Tine Austrian parliament has not been
Ia session since the outbreak of the
war. and the fear Is expressed in gone
o. the dispatches reaching Zurich from
Vienna that matters of great portent
mast have arisen to induce ministerial
cnaEEs~ stt the present critical moment
Arousing Peace Sentiment.
Mgr Werihmann. Bishop Of Freiburg
~ I3reisgau. has been in Geneva for
two days. after paying a long visit to
Prince Won Buelow. former German
chancellor, II Lucerne. II is reported
mere that the object Of the bishops
,3sit to Switzerland is to assist in
arousing sentiment In favor OF peace
among Catholics of neutral and bellig-
.rcnI countries According 10 report
ihe bishop is being assisted by Prince
NOn BueioW
Arrangements are being carried for
ward for the congress to study the
basis of a durable peace, which il ex-
week Of December. Delegates from
twenty five counties have sign ned
their intention of attending
Says Peace Is Desired.
But the Allies Will Not
Now Treat With Kaiser
LONDON. December I-yiscount Hal
dane. former lord high chancellor, dis
.ussiug The possibilities Of peace during
a meeting III Kings Hall last night de
cgared that peace was more TO be desired
thaa any other thing at the present mo-
ment
Nevertheless. the speaker predicted that
is peace negotiations would be consid-
cred by Great Britain or her allies until
Emperor william and the Gerpan war