The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-05
PARLIAMENT IN
AUSTRIA IS NOT
ALLOWED T0SIT'
Emperor Orders Drastic
Step to Crush Political Agi-
tatiOn in Food Crisis.
THREAT TO USE FORCE
Premier Says Climax Is
Reached and Predicts Victory
in Next Few Months.

AMSTERDAM, May 4.-Emperor Charles
Of Austria has empowered, DR.. Won Seyd-
Ter, the Austrian Premier. to adjourn
Parliament and forthwith inaugurate
measures to render impossible the re-
sumption Of its activities. a Vienna des-
patch says.
The Holland news bureau learns that
the resignation of DR.. Won Seydler. as
soon as the Emperor returns. is un-
avoidable. 1t adds that the Parliament
majority, consisting Of Slavs. Czcchs
and Poles, has decided not to listen to
him as Premier any more.
A statement published in Vienna indi-
Gates that the closure Of Parliament Is
due to the seriousness of the food s!tua-
ton The statement says:
THE Government will devote its entire
strength to the economic problem and
will try to create conditions required to
enable the population to hold out.
A Vienna despatch says that Premier
von Seydler. speaking at conference OF
party leaders. declared that the serious
economic and food conditions made II
imperative for the present Government
to be spared Parliamentary criticism.
He therefore demanded that the proposed
sittings Of Parliament be postponed.
adding that unless the party leaders
took this step the Government would use
force to prevent the holding OF sessions.
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
s,ttings Of Parliament made further
postponement impossible. The leaders
of the German party favored postpone
ment. but Or. Victor Adler, the Socialist
leader. and TIE other party representa-
tives. including the Polish group. were
opposed Notwithstanding their protests
the pos,ponement OF Parliament was
agreed upon.
Southern slnv state.
Premier Won Seydler admitted the ak
istence Of many problems which mus'
| receive consideration, especially the agi-
tation for the creation OF southern
T, Slav State.
However. discussion OF this problem
is impossible for the present" he said.
because Il concerns not only Austria
but also Hungary and BOSNIA. But one
thing Is certain. II such state were
| created it could be only under the
sceptre of his majesty. as component
part Of the monarchy. 1t could not m
| clude those parts of Austrian territory
which border on the Adriatic and are
| closely connected with districts where
the German language is spoken. bu'
| nationa, aspirations exist also IN THESE
districts. and 1t is only natural that the
| national wishes OF the southern SiaVS
! be duly considered.
! nf n discussion the
question Of revising the constitution or
the basis Of national autonomy Premier
| Won Seyder announced that In Bohemia
| the Government would speedily Issue
| regulations providing for the appoint
,nent of administrators for districts in
| habited by distinct nationalities.
Says climax IL Reached.
Premier Won Seydler sounded warn
ing against melting national!ties agains
each other He then said.
"Our entire military and political stu
alton has reached climax. The mex
few months will bring a big decision
am firmly convinced the decision on th'
battlefield will be in favor OF Austrii
and her allies.
"Our economic. especially our food
conditions are very serious. but they ar
not at all desperate. To hold on nov
to final. happy decision is the vita
question OF the state. 1t therefore !
necessary that, unhampered by Parlia
mentary confusion, the Government b
left in position to devote all 1t
strength to these tasks"
The Premier then recommended tn
postponement of Parliament.
The Wiener Zcitun0 publishes the fol
Continued on Second Page.