A CONDITIONS IN AUSTRIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16879, 18 June 1918, Page 4

A CONDITIONS IN AUSTRIA

Although the Central Alliance , endeavours to present an appear- . ance of complete unity in aim and » effort, there is no doubt that many ! influences are disturbing the I domestic harmony and in some ' degree embarrassing its military | operations. The conditions in ' Austria-Hungary are in sharp con- , trast with those in Germany. In • spite of an undercurrent of war ; weariness, it is clear that the as- ■ cendancy of the reactionary forces ' in Germany is not seriously chal- ; lenged. ana that the discontented . elements are still willing to accept . the promise of victory in alleviation ■ of their hardships. This common • devotion to a war of conquest has no parallel in the Hapsburg Empire. Throughout Austria and Hungary _ the greater part, of the population , is striving to realise aspirations , directly opposed to the security of l the Imperial power, and to those ' peoples a German victory Would deny their most cherished hopes. ' Antagonism among the various groups of Czechs, Sla.3 and Poles , was for long carefully and success- ' fully fostered by Germans and v Magyars, but they have realised 7 their strength in combination, and ? now present a united opposition to the minority which has in the past controlled the Government of the . Empire. They have also the support of an increasing movement , among the masses of the people, I who regard an early peace as the only remedy for the privations they > have suffered through the war and | the failure of food supplies. Towards the end of April the Austrian Gov- , ernment found itself opposed by a ' large and compact majority, and the Emperor was forced to abant don the policy with which he began his reign of permitting ''the free | national and cultural development [ of equally privileged peoples" . j throughout the Empire. From . : March, 1914, to the end of May, . ! 1917, the government of Austria , I was carried on by virtue of Section ¥ j 14 of the Constitution, which invests . ' the Government with all the. powers ij of the legislature. The Reichrath i I met again in June of last year, and • when the Government found it imj possible to carry on with its hope ' i less minority the Emperor again j suspended it. At the beginning of ; May the Prime Minister announced i that tlie serious economic and food i conditions made it imperative for I the Government to be spared parliamentary criticism, and threatened that unless the legislature adjourned the sessions would be terminated ;by force. Immediately afterwards i authority was also given for the I dissolution of the Hungarian legislaI ture Thus for the time being the ' I German and Magyar influences have , secured control of the government I machinery of the Empire, but they I have failed to subdue the widespread • discontent or to appease the bitter ' antagonism towards Germany. Food 1 riots are becoming more numerous, : mutinous outbreaks among troops ;of Slav sympathy are multiplying. ' and the Government's policy of ; repression is daily growing less I effective.