New-York tribune., 1918-05-05
quired to enable the population to hold

-
quired to enable the population to hold
uut."
Another Vienna dispatch says the
Austrian Premier. DIR. Won Seydler,
speaking at a conference of party lead
ers, declared the serious economic and
food conditions made it imperative for
the present government to be spared
parliamentary criticism. He therefore
demanded that the proposed sittings OF
Parliament be postponed.
He added that unless the party lead
ers took this step the government
would prevent the sessions forcibiy
apparently this conference. the date
of which is not given, was held before
the Emperor acted.)
The president of the lower house of
Parliament said IN reply to the Premier
that the conditions prevailing in the
country and the demand from the
larger political parties for resumption
of the sittings of Parliament made a
further postponement impossible. The
LEADERS Of the German party favored
postponement, but DR.. Victor Adler, the
Socialist leader, and the other party
representatives, including the Polish
group, were opposed. Notwithstanding
their protests the postponement of Par
lament was agreed upon.
/. Premier Won Seydler admitted the ex-
istence of many problems which must
receive consideration, especially the
agitation for the creation of southern
Slay state.
Must Be Subject to Austria
However, discussion of this problem
is impossible for the present." he said,
because it concerns not only Austria,
but also Hungary and Bosnia. One
thing, however, is certain. If such
state were created it could be only
under the sceptre of his majesty, as
component part of the monarchy. 1t
could not include those parts of Aus
trian territory which border on the
Adriatic and are closely connected with
districts whore the German language is
spoken. But national aspirations exist
also in these districts, and it is only
natural that the national wishes of the
south Slavs be duly considered"
In the course of discussion on the
question Of revising the constitution
on the basis cf national autonomy
Premier von Scydler announced that
in Bohemia the government would
speedily issue regulations. providing
for the appointment of administrators
for districts inhabited by distinct ma
tionalitles.
Premier Won Seydler sounded
warning against melting nationalities
against each other.
Food Situation Serious
"Our entire military and political
situation has reached climax" he
added. "The next few months will
bring big decision. l am firmly con-
vinced the decision on the battlefield
will be in favor of Austria and her
allies.
"Our economic, especially our food,
E,,f
are not at all desperate. To hold on
now to a final, happy decision is the
vital question for the state. 1t, there
fore, is necessary that, unhampered
by parliamentary confusion, the gov
ernment be left in position to de-
vote all its strength to these tasks"
The Premier then recommended the
postponement of parliament.
The "Wiener Zeitung" publishes the
following stateent of reasons for the
adjournment Of Parliament:
eve are in the last decisive phase of
the war. No enemy any longer threat
ens in the East, but, in firm union
with Germany and our other allies, we
must force our other opponents also
to renounce their hostile intentions.
despite on or two promising ten
denotes, Parliament has been unable to
find a stable policy. AS things are,
the resumption of the sittings Of Par
lament would npt improve the situa-
tion, but would only sharpen political
antagonism and thereby endanger the
fulfilment of those economic tasks on
the successful solution Of which every
thing depends.
"Until the reassembly of Parliament,
which will take place at the soonest
possible moment, the government will
devote its entire strength to the ec.-
nomic problems of the day, especially
to the task of arranging for the ma
tion's food supply, and will try in
every way to create conditions which
to hold out. At the same time it will
zealously endeavor to utilize the ex-
listing possibilities of an understand
ing between parties, SO that after the
reassembly of Parliament the country
may enjoy anew an unhindered consti-
tutional life"
Austria has been deep in difficulties,
both political and economic, for more
than year, and it has been an open
secret that Emperor Charles was de-
efforts r. this direction having occa-
siona. ~sed criticism in Berlin.
ln few months there have
beer at reports that the food
situation Z. austria was growing des-
peratc. 1t has been represented that,
except for the favored classes, the peo-
pie were receiving barely moro than
enough food to avert actual starva-
tion. Owing to the lack of direct
communications with Austria, and the
difficulty of obtaining authentic infor-
nation, however, it has been impos-
sible to form any estimate as to the
gravity of the food crisis.
The political situation also has
grown disturbing in the last few
months. There have been riots in
various parts of the country, and
among the southern Serbs revolu-
tionary movement has been in progress
recently.
Nevertheless, it is to be noted that
the Austrian crisis comedies exactly
with the opening of the German peace
drive just as other Austrian crises
have done.