A Vienna dispatch stated that the Premier, addressing a conference
of party leaders, had demanded that the Parliamentary sittings be
postponed, and added that, unless they took this step, the Government
would prevent the sessions by force. In the debate that followed
he had admitted the existence of many problems which must receive
consideration, especially that of the agitation for a South Slavic
State, but had added:
Discussion of this problem, however, is impossible at present,
because it concerns not only Austria but also Hungary and Bosnia.
But one thing is certain--if such a State were created it could
be only under the sceptre of his Majesty, as a component part
of the monarchy. It could not include those parts of Austrian
territory which border on the Adriatic and are closely connected
with districts where the German language is spoken. But national
aspirations exist also in these districts, and it is only natural
that the national wishes of the Southern Slavs be duly considered.
In the course of discussion of the question of revising the
Constitution on the basis of national autonomy, Premier von Seidler
announced that in Bohemia the Government would speedily issue
regulations providing for the appointment of administrators for
districts inhabited by distinct nationalities. After sounding a warning
against inciting nationalities against one another, he said:
Our entire military and political situation has reached a climax.
The next few months will bring a big decision. I am firmly
convinced the decision on the battlefield will be in favor of
Austria and her allies. Our economic, especially our food,
conditions are very serious, but they are not at all desperate.
To hold on now to a final happy decision is the vital question
for the State. It therefore is necessary that, unhampered by
Parliamentary confusion, the Government be left in a position to
devote all its strength to these tasks.