VIENNA AND THE WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, 21 September 1916, Page 2

VIENNA AND THE WAR

MISTRT7ST OF PRUSSIA AND HUNGARY. Ace rdinig to several well-informed Viennese, the solution of the difficulties under which the Dual Monarchy has been l.ibom-iiilt will be found in the esta-bl.sh-ment of a federalistd State, on; the model of Switzerland. This irlani would give a. ut oniony to the various peoples oftbe Monarchy; it would abolish the Dualist arrangement, and crush in one stroke the •unnatural anil despotic ascendancy of the Magyars. It would ensure tho development of a. normal national life to all races of the lands ruled; over by the Hapsburgs, and Vicuna, would stil retain its portion as a world capital. Tho one deep-rooted feeling everywhere, is a- renewed and strong determination to put an end to tho state of affairs which' has permitted Vienna, to :fall under the tutelage of a, Hungarian Premier, and an almost equally strong determination not to permit Geimany t'» control the destiny of the Em.pire. The growing influence of Germany in the affairs of Austria is looked upon with mistrust, and the Viennese are. aibove all, weary of the interference of Count Tisza, who dales to Vienna, weekly to keep an eye on Austrian) iutCgues. Their admiration for the achievements of the Germans is very great, yet they have no desire to fall under the influence of Berlin. In fact, sonre make no great secret, of the fact that the curbing of the .superabundant 'German strength would' not 'be unwelcome. The Viennese, though sick of the war, appear nevertheless to have acquired a certain clearness of vision and ipo.nt off view, due no doubt to their detached feeling in regard to the war, which will prove of -rreat value when the moment cornea for them to regain! rights which they have allowed the Magyars to usurp. The end of the second l year of the -war has brought to the fore many changes in Austria-Hungary. In all parts of the jMonaa-chy there are signs of upheaval and unrest. The various nationalities feelthat tho hour of their enfranchisement is apnroaching. The Viennese are confident that their suggested reforms will not come too late, audi are preparing themselves for the new leane'i-ship. The Magyars are einbracinig "Germanism" with all the fanaticism: of a new relig'on, hoping thereby to. save, for themselves a part of their former power. The scarcity of the food supply, the increased' economic difficulties of the country, the drafting of all men between, the ages of 18 and 55—which means the last good reserve available —all points to a material weakening in the resisting power of the Dual ?loi?arcby . Yet, through it ail, Vienna, to-day seems the sanest, most reasonable, and broadly-visioned of the cities within 1 that beleaguered fortress, "Centvat. Europe.'"