The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1906. THE HUNGARIAN CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 86, 10 April 1906, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1906. THE HUNGARIAN CRISIS.

For the cause that lacfcs assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in. the distance, And the good that tee can do.

It is a rather interesting 1 coincidence that just at the moment when the danger of conflict _etween*'France and Germany has been cleared away by the Algeciras Conference, the most serious menace to the peace of Central Europe should also disappear. The struggle between Austria and Hungary as to the meaning of constitutional government has a great deal more than local significance. fear lest the Dual Monarchy should collapse and its dissolution should bring on the long dreaded international war constantly haunts the diplomatists and sovereigns of Europe. And though it has always been hoped that even the death of the Emperor might not necessarily lead to an outburst of violence, yet within the last two years it has seemed as if even within the lifetime of Francis Joseph the "ill-fitting mosaic" of the Austro-Hun-garian Empire might suddenly crumble into fragments. The forces that are working towards its dissolution are many and potent. Each one of the constituent States has traditions that tend in the way of independence and liberty. But Hungary, which forms one-half of the Empire, is bound by the frailest of ties to Austria; and the recollection of what she has. suffered for the cause of freedom at Austria's hands can never be effaced. Behind and apart from this conflict of ambitions and aspirations between the States, there rages ceaselessly a great struggle between the Teutonic and the Slavic elements in the Empire; and there is only too much reason to fear that when Francis Joseph's long life ends Germany will make an effort to secure absohite ascendancy in some portion of the Austrian dominions. these considerations render the internal condition of Austria a question of the highest importance to the men who are "making history" in Europe to-day; and the danger of an open rupture between Austria and Hungary has long been the worst dreaded of all possible contingencies in the sphere of "world politics." The pretext on which the battle between Francis Joseph and the Hungarians has been fought is the demand of \ Hungary that in the army the word of command shall be given to the Hungarian contingents in, their own language. But this is, of course, only a sort of test question; and the real m<__ung of the contest is the irrepressible and enthusiastic determination of the Magyar race to regain absolute independence. The union with Austria throw 3 no heavy burden on Hungary; -and the tact and good sense of Francis Joseph have succeeded in maintaining for 40 years the contract on which the Dnal Monarchy is based. But just as Norway refused to be content for ever with, her compulsory alliance with Sweden, 60 Hungary has now decided that the time has come for her to show her strength and to demand the right to stand alone. That absolutely independence is the ultimate goal of Hungarian ambition can hardly bo denied l - in view of the emphatic assertions of the leaders of the coalition, Francis Kossuth, Count Julius Andrassy, and Count Apponyi, the three opposition chiefs, represent between them almost every shade of national feeling in Hungary; and though their views diverge on many minor subjects they are absolutely at one in demanding that the constitutional rights of Hungary shall be exercised free of any form of domination or control from. "Vienna. According to the agreement of 1867 Hungary and Austria have separate Parliaments and responsible Government for internal affairs quite independent of each other. But the right of administering the "common interests" of the Dual Monarchy is delegated to a sort of joint Parliament, and the Emperor, by virtue of his prerogative, has the right to "command and organise the army according to his will." Legally, therefore, Francis Joseph has been entirely within his rights in refusing to grant the Hungarian demands for the introduction of the Magyar tongue and the Magyar flag into the Austrian military system. But an immense majority in the Hungarian Parliament supports the independent policy; and the Emperor's attempts to keep in oflke a Cabinet which could not control the votes of the House have ended in hopeless failure. Unless he had recourse to war, Francis Joseph was hound in the long run to offer some compromise; and so at last he has given way. It is important to observe that the Hungarian National party is quite prepared, for the moment, to drop the question of the Magyar language, which was made the occasion for this conflict. The new Cabinet is to go to the country on the single plank of " universal suffrage.'" When this cry was first raised it was hoped at Vienna that the nonMagyar element in Hungary which would thus receive the franchise would be largely instrumental in helping Austria to regain her ascendency. Bat here again the Imperial party hat been dv» appointed. Kossuth and the Coalition leaders have won over the whole people oi Hungary to their side; and the demand _or universal suffrage has been taken. _p i- Austria, much id* thi __k

composure of the Conservative party at 'Vienna/ -Towards- the close of- last year a petition, bearing. 500,000 .signatures was presented to the Hungarian Parliament in faveur of universal suffrage; and there seems no doubt that the new House will be as stubbornly Nationalist as the old. The inclusion of Francis Kossuth and Count Andrassy in the Ministry will strengthen it" immeasurably in popular estimation. Baron Fejervary, who at the —inperor's desire attempted last year to carry on the Government without the support of Parliament, is only too glad to find some practicable basis of agreement with the In-, dependents. But the Hungarian "National party will not accept half measures. Practically the whole Parliament, Liberals and Coalition combined, last year rejected Fejervary's " programme," though it included, very sweeping concessions as to financial and military grievances. The truth is that the Hungarian leaders are fighting for liberty. They are enraged at the attempts made last year to ignore *their Constitutional rights, and they will never be satisfied with anything less than political independence. Francis Kossuth has appealed to the English nation for sympathy on the ground that Hungary "as a Constitutional country and a land of liberty is nearer to England than any other nation on the Continent." When Francis Joseph dies it will be difficult, if not impossible, to renew the compact which has for forty years bound Hungary to Austria. But in the meantime we should be grateful for the respite afforded by Hungary's temporary and provisional acceptance of the terms offered by the Imperial Government at Vienna.