P.S. In Berlin, so far as my knowledge goes, Dr. Barth would be our
man; I will write him.
Permit me to lay at your feet my discourse on British India.
The Socialist deputy Pernerstorfer:
House of Deputies, Vienna,
June 16, 1891
Highly honored Lady:
I would willingly, at least for myself personally, obey your friendly
summons to go to Rome for the Peace Conference. But this is quite out
of the question for me, since such a journey, especially at the
present moment, exceeds my pecuniary ability; all the more as I should
have to take it not alone but accompanied by my wife. So what remains
possible toward meeting your desires is that I should help along the
propaganda for the Conference among the members of the Austrian House
of Deputies. Now you do mention some names, and I have not the least
doubt that the men you name are warm friends of the efforts toward
peace. Yet this friendship is certainly nothing but a highly Platonic
one, which does not go further than pathetic assurances and
sentimental phrases. You clearly have a far too favorable opinion of
the Austrian Parliament; the thoughts that govern this house are of a
purely practical, and often a very selfish, nature. Ideal endeavors
are here regarded as ideological, and moral indignation is not taken
seriously. It would be a tempting theme for a writer of creative power
to hold up a mirror to the world in a political novel. The detestable
picture would be seen of a class brutality such as had never before
come to light in such a degree.
So I cannot do anything in this second direction either. It is
possible, no doubt, to induce a few members of the Austrian Parliament
to take a trip to Rome, on which occasion they would have also to take
part in the Peace Conference; but do you really regard that as any
gain and as especially desirable?
I would not let this opportunity pass, highly honored lady, without
thanking you from the bottom of my heart for the great gratification
which you have given to me, as well as to so many, many others, by
your splendid book _Die Waffen nieder_. For those who, like myself,
are in public life, such a book is more than an enjoyment; it is a
great consolation and means an uplift and a new stimulus.
With the deepest respect,
Your sincerely devoted
Pernerstorfer
Here follow two more letters from deputies:
House of Deputies, Vienna,
June 21, 1891
Much-honored Baroness:
First of all allow me to thank you most heartily for your exceedingly
delightful favor. Baron Kübeck had already spoken to me of your noble
endeavors, with which I too am in the most cordial sympathy.
As I have long been in touch with the English Committee—and also have
the pleasure of personal intimacy with Rugg. Bonghi—I am fairly well
_au courant_ with the condition of things. Besides, it has always
intensely interested me to follow the course of cases in which the
principle of arbitration has come to be applied in international
controversies.
Certainly it cannot be denied that progress in this matter takes place
with infinite slowness; hence, to begin with, it is peculiarly
difficult, at least in our circles, to enlist adherents for a cause
which to-day seems still Utopian. The counter argument, in the words
“Russia, France,” is not to be got rid of.
We must, therefore, begin by realizing that to-day there can be
attained at best nothing more than perhaps to have a small number of
deputies show an inclination toward an expression of sympathy, and, in
addition, toward inducing one of their number to go to Rome.
Baron Kübeck and I will not fail to try for this. You will understand
that of course I shall not fail to confer with Baron Pirquet and
Pernerstorfer, and likewise with Count Coronini.
In case I have any favorable news to send, I shall take pleasure in
reporting it, since personal contact with you, Frau Baronin, even if
it be only by letter, can only be very delightful to me.
With respect,
Dr. Jaques
Dr. Wilhelm Exner, president of the Technological Trade Museum and
section chief, wrote: