[Footnote A: This is often written _Hapsburg_, probably because the _b_
is pronounced very shortly and sharply, giving it much the sound of _p_.
_Habsburg_ is, however, correct, as the name is derived from _Habicht_,
a hawk, and was originally _Habichtsburg_, the Hawk's Castle, from which
the family derived its name.]
There have been many revolts and uprisings in Hungary against the
Austrian rule, and in 1867 the present arrangement was made, whereby
Hungary paid thirty per cent. of the joint expenses of government. The
compact, as it is called, was made for ten years. In 1877 and 1887 it
was renewed for another period of ten years. Now in 1897 it must be
renewed again.
Austria thinks Hungary is now in a position to pay a larger proportion
of the expenses, but Hungary cannot see the force of this at all. She
is, however, willing to make a fresh compact for one year, during which
time the whole matter can be thoroughly discussed.
The attempt to get the compact arranged for the one year offered has
been one of the causes of the trouble in the Reichsrath, or Parliament.
The Austrians do not want to renew the agreement unless they can get
better terms, the Hungarians will not pay any more, and the Bohemians
are opposed to every motion that is made, because they insist that their
own grievance about the language shall be settled before any other
business is done.
In consequence of this, the Austrian Parliament has become a
bear-garden.
Mr. Clemens (Mark Twain), who happened to be in Vienna during these
uproarious sittings of Parliament, and witnessed one of them, declared
that the nearest approach to such a riot in his experience was the
lynching of a man out West for stealing a horse--but even that was a
mild scene compared to the proceedings of the Parliament.
While Mr. Clemens was watching, an Austrian member tried to speak on the
Hungarian question; whereupon Mr. Wolff, the Bohemian member, began to
slam the lid of his desk and then pound it with a ruler. A scuffle
ensued in the attempt to wrench off the lid of the desk, during all of
which the Austrian member continued to speak, it being utterly
impossible to hear one word of what he was saying, because of the uproar
made by the rest of these dignified lawgivers.
[Illustration: THE START OF THE ANDRÉE BALLOON.]
The haughty Hungarians have naturally become highly indignant over this
conduct, and there have been stormy times in the Hungarian Parliament.
Francis Kossuth, a son of Louis Kossuth, the famous Hungarian patriot,
is a member of the Lower House of the Hungarian Parliament. He created a
sensation by demanding that Hungary should cut herself free from Austria
and once more become an independent kingdom, as Austria did not seem to
desire the renewal of the compact.
Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier, at once replied that the union of
Austria and Hungary was complete, and a separation was impossible, and
even were it not so, he could not contemplate the idea of turning
Austria's troubles to the advantage of Hungary.
While the Austrian Parliament behaves in such a scandalous manner, no
business can be transacted, and the matters of vital importance to the
welfare of the country have to be laid aside because of the disorderly
conduct of the Parliament.
The Emperor, Francis Joseph, is so disgusted with the way in which the
deputies are abusing the privilege of helping to govern their country,
that he threatens to suspend the constitution and act without the
Parliament.
At present, it being a limited monarchy, he can only make laws by the
will and consent of the people.
There is, however, a clause in the Austrian Constitution, an emergency
clause, known as Article XIV., which in case of need gives the Emperor
the right to suspend the constitution and act on his own
responsibility.
The necessity of coming to a decision on the Hungarian question has
become so great that the ministers are of the opinion that the Emperor
will have to use this privilege. The Minister of Finance therefore
uttered a warning to the members of the Parliament, telling them that
they had better not drive the Government too far, as there was the
gravest danger of the Emperor insisting upon exercising this right.
The latest despatches say that the published reports give but a slight
idea of the grave trouble that is underlying this matter. It is feared
that a revolution may be the result, and that martial law will have to
be proclaimed in Bohemia this winter to quell the language riots.
There was great indignation in the Parliament when the warning of the
Minister of Finance was announced; and grave as it seems thus to deprive
the people of their rights, something must soon be done to bring the
deputies to their senses. The warring factions in the Reichsrath have
learned that if they cannot obtain the laws they wish to have for
themselves, they can at least prevent laws from being made for others,
and so they have brought the affairs of Parliament to a deadlock.
The latest news is that the House has been adjourned for a period of
four days. If the members continue to act as before when the House
reassembles, the probabilities are that the Emperor will suspend the
constitution and take from the people the right of making laws until
they prove worthy of the privilege.
While this course may bring the Austrian Parliament to order, it is
likely to throw the Hungarians into still greater disorder.
Francis Kossuth, on hearing of the Emperor's intentions, announced that
he would fight to the death rather than allow Hungary to accept a
compact made with the Emperor alone, and without the consent of the
Austrian Parliament.
* * * * *
You will be glad to know that Japan and Hawaii are likely to come to a
friendly settlement of their differences.
You will remember that it was suggested that the matter of the exclusion
of the emigrants should be decided by arbitration.
When, however, the time came for Japan to state the points she was
willing to submit to arbitration, she refused to allow the possession of
the $50 to be discussed.
This, as you will recollect, was the whole point of the disagreement.
Hawaii refused to accept the immigrants because it came to her knowledge
that the steamship company furnished them with contracts, and loaned
them the $50 required by law to enable them to pass the custom-house.
The contracts were worthless, and the $50 was returned immediately on
landing.
The Japanese Government in Tokio has come to the very wise and pleasant
decision that the proper thing for it to do is to submit the whole case
to the arbitrators and not enter into any conflict with Hawaii.
Up to the present time the letters sent by the Japanese Government have
been of such a nature that they warranted the belief that Japan was
ready to declare war on us on account of Hawaii.
In the present communications, however, the entire tone has changed.
They are friendly and pleasant, and appear to desire to preserve
friendly relations with us.
This should be especially pleasing, for the Japanese are a fine,
vigorous race of people, whom we cannot but admire for their spirited
conduct in their war with China. It would be a pity if we were forced to
regard them in an unfriendly light.
It is reported that the reason for the change is that the Government has
discovered that the information forwarded to it was misleading and
calculated to give a wrong impression.
It is hinted that the Japanese minister in this country is the innocent
cause of the trouble. It seems that he became very intimate with the son
of Claus Spreckels, the Hawaiian Sugar King.
Young Mr. Spreckels had of course his own ideas about Hawaiian matters,
and told them to the Japanese minister. This official felt that Mr.
Spreckels must be thoroughly well acquainted with Sandwich Island
affairs, and accepted all that he said as fact without attempting to
investigate for himself.
He should not have done this, because, hard though it is for us to
realize it sometimes, there are always two sides to every question, and
all of us, even the fairest-minded, find it difficult to see both sides
with equal clearness and justice.
With the best intentions it was impossible for Mr. Spreckels to look at
matters from a disinterested standpoint, and the minister should have
grasped this fact, instead of sending as facts to his Government
statements that were merely the views of an interested party.
As it was, the Government in Tokio was told that there was not the
slightest fear of the United States annexing Hawaii, that it was all
talk and would never amount to anything, and that Japan could go ahead
and force her immigrants on Hawaii without interference.
As a matter of fact, it now appears that Japan had no hostile plans in
sending her immigrants to Hawaii.
While it is true that many of these men were soldiers, it is stated by
those who have studied the matter that they were not soldiers in the
regular Japanese army, but men who had fought in the war with China.
The enormous strides which Japan has made since the war, and which have
roused the admiration of all her sister nations, cannot have been
accomplished without changes in the thoughts and habits of the Japanese
people.
It seems that the progressive spirit which the war awakened made the
Japanese restless; the soldiers who had been serving in the field could
not readily settle down to the old ways of life. They wanted fresh
worlds to conquer.
The Government, realizing that something must be done with this restless
element, instituted and encouraged the idea of emigration. There
appeared to be a great demand for such people in Hawaii, and therefore
the emigration to the Sandwich Islands was commenced. It would perhaps
have been wiser to send the people to the recently acquired island of
Formosa, but the march of progress had not yet reached this island,
while the Americanized Hawaiian Islands offered inducements which the
newly awakened Japanese ambition craved for.
Be that as it may, it now seems certain that there was no more serious
motive in sending emigrants to Hawaii than the endeavor of Japan to find
occupation for her surplus population.
The determined stand taken by the Hawaiian Government, and the absolute
certainty that the United States would uphold it, finally opened the
eyes of the Japanese to their mistake. The minister was recalled after
inquiries had been instituted, and the attitude of the Japanese
representatives in Hawaii was changed from haughty displeasure to the
utmost friendliness.
The outcome of the whole matter has been a pleasantly worded letter from
Japan, in which she consents to submit the whole immigration
question--contract, $50, and all--to arbitration.
It is extremely gratifying to all lovers of peace to find that one more
national misunderstanding has been settled without resorting to the
horrors and cruelties of war.
* * * * *
News comes that the month of reflection given to the Manchester
cotton-workers, before the reduction of wages was to go into effect, has
borne good fruit.
Instead of going on strike and causing distress to themselves and
disaster to the masters, the workmen have decided to submit the matter
to arbitration.
If it is proved to their satisfaction that the masters are really paying
higher wages than the state of the business permits, they will submit to
the reduction.
They want to be assured that the masters are telling them the truth, and
for this no one can blame them. Five per cent. of their earnings is too
much to be given up unless it is absolutely necessary.
This settlement is another triumph for arbitration.
* * * * *
The treaty entered into by the Russian, Japanese, and United States
sealing commissioners has been signed.
The treaty prohibits deep-sea sealing in waters controlled by them.
The treaty does not apply (so far as Great Britain is concerned) to the
Bering Sea. By the treaty of Paris this sea was declared to be an open
sea, free to all at a certain distance from the coast; therefore Great
Britain can indulge in deep-sea sealing in those waters if she pleases.
It is hoped, however, that England's love of justice will convince her
that there must be some truth in the statement about the decrease of the
seal herd, and not wishing to be the only country engaged in improper
sealing, she will eventually add her signature to the treaty.
This seems the more likely as it is reported that at the sealing
conference with Great Britain, which follows the Russo-Japanese
conference, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier, will endeavor to
settle the disputed matters satisfactorily.
The Canadian Premier has always desired to maintain the most friendly
relations with us, and though he has given no hint of his intentions on
the sealing question, it is understood that he means to reach an
amicable understanding with us.
It is also said that he intends to see the President while he is in
Washington, and if possible clear away all the existing difficulties
between Canada and the United States.
The sealing trouble is only one of the matters which need arranging.
There is the Kootenay affair, the Klondike question, and a number of
other fishery and tariff differences.
* * * * *
Our Government will soon have an opportunity of testing the value of the
reindeer which have been imported into Alaska.
A number of whaling-vessels are fast in the ice off the coast of Alaska,
and it is necessary to send food to the sailors on them to save them
from starvation.
These ships went up through the Bering Sea this summer to ply their
dangerous trade as usual. The winter set in earlier than usual, and
eight of them have been caught in the ice off Point Barrow, which is on
the north of Alaska, jutting out into the Arctic Ocean.
There are about two hundred and seventy-five men on these vessels. Not
expecting to spend the winter in the Arctic Ocean, they were not
prepared for such an emergency, and none of them carried more than a
three-months' supply of food. The gravest fears are entertained lest
they die of starvation.
The matter was brought to the attention of the President, who
immediately called a Cabinet council, at which it was decided to send a
relief expedition to these men.
The plan is to charter a steam-whaler, the _Thrasher_, which is now at
San Francisco, and send her with provisions and clothing to Port
Clarence, which you will find marked just below Cape Prince of Wales,
the most easterly point of our continent, which bounds the Bering
Straits on the American side.
If it is impossible to get so far north as this, it is proposed to put
in at Norton Sound, on which St. Michaels is situated, the port which
has come into so much prominence lately through the discovery of gold on
the Klondike.
Whichever of these points can be reached, it is purposed to send the
provisions across Alaska to Point Barrow by reindeer.
There is a reindeer station at Point Clarence, and so it would be better
to reach this spot if possible; but the captain of the revenue-cutter
_Bear_, which cruises in Alaskan waters, says that there is too much ice
already for it to be possible to reach either Port Clarence or St.
Michaels.
The reindeer will, however, be used when other means of travelling are
impossible, and they will bring the supplies to the imprisoned whalers.
There are at present eleven hundred head of deer in Alaska, all in a
healthy and thriving condition.
Last December, the superintendent of the reindeer station at Port
Clarence thought he would try and see just how useful these beasts could
be made, and whether it would be possible, by their aid, to establish
communication between Arctic Alaska and civilization.
He took with him nine sleds, seventeen reindeer, and two Lapp teamsters.
[Illustration: REINDEER TEAM. _From Photograph Taken in Alaska._]
Here is his description of the trip:
"The journey was a very difficult one. Barren mountains whose sides
had been swept bare by blizzards, and ravines which held deep
snowdrifts, had to be crossed. The icy waters of mountain torrents had
to be forded; sometimes a way had to be cut with axes through tangled
undergrowth. The cold was intense, sometimes 73° below zero."
Though reindeer moss was found in sufficient quantities throughout the
entire trip, at one time the party was storm-bound on the mountains, and
the animals were thirty-six hours without food.
The hardy creatures suffered no permanent injury from this long fast,
and their skins, thickly covered with long hair, were sufficient to
protect them from the icy blasts.
With servants such as these to do its bidding, there is every hope that
the Government may be able to send provisions to the unfortunate whalers
before they begin to suffer the pangs of hunger.
Cheering news has been received from the captain of the whaling-steamer
_Devall_ and the captain of the revenue-cutter _Bear_, who state that
there are between three hundred and four hundred barrels of flour at the
Point Barrow refuge-station, probably within reach of the men.
The _Bear_, which is now at Seattle, has been ordered to prepare for
another Arctic trip, and be ready to push on through the Straits as soon
as the spring conies, and go round to Point Barrow to rescue the
whalers, in case the packing of the ice has crushed and wrecked their
vessels.
The _Bear_ has a noteworthy Arctic record. It was this vessel which was
sent in search of, and was successful in finding, the Greely
expedition.
* * * * *
There is a good deal of discussion on the subject of football just now.
The fatal accidents which have befallen the players already this season
have led people to think it a brutal sport, and many are setting their
faces against it.
The legislature of Georgia has forbidden football within the state
limits, and all the prominent colleges in the country are discussing the
idea of prohibiting it.
Chicago has come to the front as bravely as it did in the crusade
against the high hats in theatres.
The same alderman who offered the resolution to suppress the hats has
evolved a new one which will make him famous.