New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-12
Austrian Emperor
Grants Amnesty to
Political Captives
Condemned Traitors Par
doned and Trials Are
Ordered Stopped

LONDON, Sept. Great events are
in Austria. A thorough po-
litical housekeeping, amounting to
bloodless revolution, is being carried
out by Emperor Charles. His recent
amnesty Of political offenders was
passed almost unnoticed by the outside
world. But according TO THE Man
chester Guardian" this act created an
unparalleled sensation in both Austria
Hungary and Germany. The young
ruler promulgated his decree in such
an unusual form and so Unexpectedly
that it fairly shattered the foundations
Of the traditional Hapsburg bureaucra-
CIV. In Germany it had the effect OF
an earthquake.
One day in July Premier Won SeIdler
appeared in the Reichsrath and read
the following letter addressed TO him
by the Emperor:
Dear Ritter Won Solder:
THE policy OF hate and reprisals
which. fed BY obscure conditions, let
loose the world war must on its con-
clusion be everywhere and IN all cir
cumstances replaced by a policy Of re-
Cancellation. This policy must also
prevail in the internal affairs Of the
state. It is necessary with courage and
insight and in spirit Of mutual con-
cession TO satisfy the wishes OF the
peoples.
Emperor Forgives Foes
With Gods powerful help, I will
perofrm my duties as sovereign in this
spirit Of reconciliation, and, treading
the path Of mild indulgence first my
self, I will draw the veil Of oblivion
over those regrettsble political trans
gressions that were committed before
and during the war and led TO prosecu-
tions.
Orders Trial on
81 remit the sentences Of persons who
have been condemned by a civil or
military court for any Of the following
penal acts committed while in civil
life: High treason. disrespect Of mai
esty. disrespect of members OF the i'm
perial house. disturbance OF public or
der. rioting, violence against an assem-
bly, summoned by the government to
treat Of public affairs or against a
court or other public authority.
"If the sentence was not incurred for
any Of the penal actions just men
toned ! will remit the punishment if
the offence was relatively light or Of
a predominantly political character.
"If the trial is not legally ended
order the proceedings TO be stayed and
broken off, If they were only begun in
consequence of offences Of the nature
already described.
From this pardon al persons are
excepted who escaped prosecution by
fight abroad, went over to the enemy
or did not return to the monarchy on
the outbreak of the war.
Together with the punishments re-
NIT also the disabilities incurred in
consequence, such as loss OF the right
to vote or be elected on public bodies.
Germany Dismayed.
81 expect with confidence that all
my peoples, following the example
which to my lively satisfaction the
Germans and their representatives in
especial have given by their moderate
attitude and devotion to the state in
the latest parliamentary negotiations,
will unite in common work for the So
luton of all those great tasks which
are laid upon US for the healing of the
wounds dealt by the war and the re-
form of our affairs in accordance with
the spirit of the new age"
The effect Of the Emperor's order
was tremendous. The Slavs, and espe-
cially the Czechs, were jubilant, while
the Germans were overwhelmed. Wrote
the Vienna correspondent of the
"Frankfurter Zeiturg";
"The effect of the amnesty on the
Germans has been absolutely paralyz-
ing. IL would have been ineligible il
the sentences given by the e1traordi-
nary tribunals had been revised by the
regular courts, for the military courts
had really a very insecure constitu-
tional basis. But the full pardoning of
people condemned to death by law for
high treason, in consequence of the
pressure exercised by their sympa-
thizers in parliament, is such an un-
usual procedure on the part of the
state authorities that not only the Ger
mans but many other people with a
regard for the state are filed with
grave misgivings"
The correspondent OF the "Vossische
Zeitung" ascribed the amnesty 20 an
impulse of the Emperor, saying that
he release of the Slay leaders, such as
Krsmarz, would not effect German
Slav reconciliation.