The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1017. A SIGNIFICANT SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3101, 4 June 1917, Page 6

The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1017. A SIGNIFICANT SPEECH

At a, direct view antl ignoring the circumstances in which it was delivered, the speech made by tho Austrian Emperor at the opening of the Keichsratb may.seem so weak and halting as hardly to deserve attention. But, taking account of tho complex and difficult- problems which confront the Emperor Karl within the borders of the Dual Monarchy, and of tho alliance in which ho is entangled, the speech seems likely to stand out in future as ono of tho significant utterances of tho war ' Jk. docs not go very far on any definite line, but in so. far as* it has character it is essentially conciliatory. This feature is marked enough to arguo a degree of initiative on the part of the young Emperor and a certain independence of the factions at present dominant botli in the Dual Monarchy and in Germany. There is, for instance, a very striking contrast between the Speech of the Emperor Karl and that lately mado by tho Kaiser to his soldiers on tho Arras ir°D t i. The speech of the older Monarch breathed rancorous hatred | and revenge. Ho exhorted his | troops to fight to the last, and particularly to hate tho British, even to the extent of taking no prisoners. The Austrian Emperor studiously avoided expressions'of hatred, and while ho repeated formal assurances of allegiance to his allies the keynote of his specoh is struck in tho statement that ho is ready to meet in a spirit of reconciliation tho nations which stand opposed to the Central Powers. Tho German publicity agents, who have lately been labouring to convince the world that relations between Germany and Anuria have never been closer and Vrtorc unclouded than they are to-. I day, will find a now and difficult task in explaining away tho extreme divergence between the speeches of tho two Emperors. Apart from its general character and the broad indication it affords of a developing peace sontiment in the Dual Monarchy, there arc detail features in the Austrian Emperor's speech which arrest attention. As it stands, tho reference to tho Slavs is little calculated to satisfy or conciliate the members of that race living under Austro-Hungarian rule. Tho Emperor, it is stated, promised reforms ensuring the development of tho various nations in tho monarchy, subject, however, to tho unity of the State. These are almost tho words which havo been used by German and Magyar champions in justification of tho regime of tyranny and terrorism by which their racial groups havo monopolised political power and freedom within the boundaries of tho Dual Monarchy. "Unity of the State" is ii phrase very much open to suspicion in this connection. It has been often used in tho past to cloak < abominable crimes against the Slavs. In 1910, at a time when a particularly violent campaign of oppression was being conducted against the members of that racc, Count Tisza, who has just retired from the position of Prime Minister of Hungary, defined his position in the following torms:

When our fellow-citizens form parties on the basis of nationality they aro already deifying the political unity of the Magyar' nation. . With this shade of opinion .there' can be -no negotiation. It must bo fought, and, if we conquer, we must destroy it.

Tisza spoko of "tho political unity of tho Magyar tuition," ami the Emperor speaks of "tho unity of the Stale," but thero is no doubt that the latter utterance ia a conccssion to tho Magyar and Gorman domination which Tibza and those who sco eye to cyo with him assert and defend. Anothor interesting feature of the speech is tho apparently deliberate avoidanco of any reference to tho question of territorial adjustments. Tho Empekor did not assert that Austria-Hungary would fight to the last for the restoration of its frontiers as they existed before tho war, and it is possible, at least, that lie refrained from doing so bccauso he is pi'eparod to consider a settlement on other lines. It is noteworthy that the Austrian Foreign Minister (Count Czisunin) is credited to-day with -the statement that undoubtedly Austria is prepared to negotiate peace without annexations, "and even to satisfy some ■ of Italy's national aspirations." For what it is worth, this goes to intensify the impression of conciliatory approach conveyed m the Emperor's spcccli. Tho circumstances in which the Emperor spoko aro of a nature, on tho whole, to give his words added weight. It must bo recognised even by his enemies that the problems with which this young and inexperienced ruler is called upon to cope might very well dishearten .and daunt a veteran statesman. Conditions which were created by his ancestor!) for their own advantage and aggrandisement mako the position of the ICmpehou Kahi, almost impossible. He must acquiesce-in the continued ill-treatment of tho Slavs and other subjcct races, or como to an issue with the Germans and Magyars. Selecting either al-

. -•erni.Uvo, lie risks the collapse and disruption of his Empire. Apart Irom the speech reported to-day, I,ho most recent indications .of tho Emperor K inlluence oil the policy of the Dual Monarchy have come from Hungary. Tisza, a furious apostle Magyar hegemony and a devoted henchman of the Pan-German party, has been displaced, and has been succeeded by Count Andiuksy It is reported that the latter has modified bis Paji-Gcrinan policy in order to harmonise his view with that of the Emperor Karl, but there is room for a suspicion that the late political changes in Hungary, like - other portents, imply that the Emperor has as yet made very limited headway towards a solution of tho political problems by whioh ho is taced. At all events Count Andrassy has figiued hitherto as an exponent of Pan-Germanism only less fanatical in his zeal than those Mayenc© notables, who recently voted enthusiastically in favour 0 f annexing the whole British Empire. In considering any utteranoo by tho Emperor Karl it must always be remembered that the Dual Monarchy is not only largely dominated by Gonuany, but is weakened by acute and apparently incurable internal dissensions. Thero is something, however, to be said on the other side. The very fact that tho young Emperor is so awkwardly placed, at tho head of an Empire broken into warring factions aud dominated by a powerful ally, gives added weight and significance to such a speech as he made in opening the Reiohsrath.' That ho was able to diverge as widely as he did __ from tho tone taken by the Kaiser and by tho dominant' factions in his.own country suggests that other factors aro challenging Pan-German and Magyar predominance in tho Dual Monarchy, and that these factors make for peace and tend to strengthen the Emperor in whatever efforts ho may make,to parry out political reforms and bring the war to an end. Ono such faptor, and the most obvious, is popular discontent, whioh is credibly reported to have attained much moro serious ' dimensions in than in any other of the principal countries at war. Tho demonstrations m Vienna in favour of peace which ooincided with tho delivery of the Emperor's speech were symptomatic of -a stato of affairs, and a state of lYiind, widespread throughout the Dual Monarchy. The war also has . raised questions of new groupings. Whothcr' or not it is true, as has been roported, that regular negotiations were conducted between Austria and Bavaria with a view to ultimate union, there are possibilities in this direction which tho Austrian Emperor has o'very interest in promoting. Whether ho will eventually succeed in reshaping and consolidating his Empire and in meeting the demands of tho Allies, partly by concession, ,of territory and partly by internal reforms, is of course, a very open question. Meantime his latest speech, guarded and carefully worded as it is, is a somewhat striking proof that tho relations of tho Dual-Monarchy and Germany aro not by any means unclouded, and carrics a distinct suggestion that developments in Aus-tria-Hungary may quite conceivably hasten tho day of Germany's defeat.