HUNGARY AND AUSTRIA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11443, 24 January 1918, Page 5

HUNGARY AND AUSTRIA.

FRANK RECRIMINATIONS. NEW DECLARATION OF WAR. Tlio speeches of Slavonic and Czech deputies in the Austrian Parliament, which have been described ns “incitements to destroy the integrity of Hungarian territory,” have brought about a curious situation between the two halves of the Dual Monarchy. Speeches wore made in the Austrian Reichsruth on November 10 by Dr Korosec, a Slovene member, M. Stauek, a Czech, and M. Zenker, an Austrian-oermau Liberal, that is, by representative of almost all parties, demanding that Hungary should give up her Slovene counties to Bohemia and southern counties to the Jugoslavs. This event has evoked some extraordinary leading articles in the Hungarian newspapers the most characteristic of which is the following, taken from the subsidised Government organ, Az Est, which formerly was in close touch with the Tisza Cabinet, and now supports the present Government.

“A new declaration of war lias reached us in this fourth yo r of warfare,” it begins. “Austria lias declared war on Hungary. That country, which owes it entirely to Hungary that her enemies have not torn her to pieces like an old rag, now hasten to exp'ess her gratitude in her Parliament 1- " ’ ■ neiuannuig imanimously, without even a division, the disintegration, of our country,” e ftor this remarkable introduction, which was passed by the censor, and therefore must be, taken to be approved by the Government, Az Est continues in a still more bitter strain:—“Never lias a nation wasted her resources—human, material, and financial—in a less deserving cause than we have. Never have politciuns mule a graver mistake than those who said that we can only live and prosper in union with Austria. Kakoczi and Kossuth , were right when they said that Austria was Hungary’s evil spirit, the’ vampire that sucks our blood. Of all the misfortunes that have befallen us up to now the greatest is Austria. The Turk, the Tartar, the Servian, the Koumauian, and the Russian all came against ns openly, with sword unsheathed, but Austria has always attacked us covertly, disguised as a friend. Now r the mask has fallen forever from this obtinato foe, and we see her face distorted with villainy and ji brutal lust for our blood.

“The greedy villainy of Austria has been reflected in her economic policy for some decades pist. It prevented us from developing our industries and our commerce, and from improving our railways and canals; it did its best to give us a bid name in other countries, and even planted suspicion in the heart of our King against us; and now, in the fourth year of the war, Austria deems us so weak and broken that the sly enemy takes courage aud openly draws the sword. But Austrian stupidity lias made a groat mistake. There is still strength enough in our arms to wield the sword against Austria. 11 Uur answer to the Austrian demand is this: Lot us break with Austria! This should be engraved on the heart of every Hungarian of whatever race, from the Prime Minister to the humblest peasant. Wo do not desire, and are fully resolved not to live in, union or in any form of dualism with our worst foe. We shall settle our account with onr enemies in Austria, and they will mourn over that settlement for centuries to come. ’’