Századok – 1937

Pótfüzet - HEGEDÜS LORÁNT: Lord Beaconsfield politikai ügynökének jelentései gróf Andrássy Gyula és Tisza Kálmán politikájáról a keleti válság idejében 576–616

[65] BE ACONSFIELD ÜGYNÖKÉNEK JELENTÉSEI. 77 means of knowing which I do not possess. But I cannot doubt that Count Andrássy will have the full support of Hungary in the adoption of an alliance with England, if he can bring himself to such a decision. Nor do I believe, from all that I have seen of the Southern Slavs, that he need have any great apprehensions that the non-Magyar populations of the Trans-Leithan Provinces will trouble him with serious action in favour of Russia. I have the honour, etc. No. 19. Buda Pesth, April 15, 1878. Sir, For some weeks past negotiations have been in progress between the various fractions of the opposition with the object of forming a coalition against the Government Party in the Lower House of the Diet. The large majority with which M. Tisza came into power three years ago has, in the natural course of events, suffered many defections. Baron Simonyi, who for some time held office as Minister of Commerce, about two years ago severed the political connection between himself and his old Colleagues ; and was followed in his secession by more than seventy "Independent Liberals". A dozen more Deputies have recently seceded from the Government ranks — and these two fractions, together with some three or four members of the extreme left, have now allied themselves with twenty five Conservatives of the Right, and assumed the denomination of the "United Opposition". The compact was formally entered into on the 13th Instant ; and a political Programme adopted of which the following are the salient features : — A Foreign Policy in harmony with the vital interests of the Monarchy, — that is to say the prevention of a consolidation of Russian preponderance on the Lower Danube, and in the Balkan Peninsula. Rejection of the Commercial and Financial Pact proposed by the Government, and the extension of the Provisional Arrangement, which has been rendered inevitable by the conduct hitherto pursued by the Government. A definitive settlement in the following sense. — As regards Customs and Tariff, a policy of Free Trade, and of International Commercial Treaties. As regards Imposts on Articles of Consumption, a policy which will relieve the Country from pressure ; and if an identic commercial policy with Austria in this direction be impossible, the establishment of a separate Hungarian Customs and Excise system. Such a settlement and organisation of Bank and Finance matters as corresponds to the interests of domestic industry and commerce, and satisfies the exigencies of Hungarian credit under all circumstances. The responsibility in respect of the eighty million debt to the Bank to be taken as settled by the Law of 1867. The proportions of the contribution to the general expenditure to be fairly assessed upon the taxable resources of each division of the Empire. This Programme is characterized by the supporters of the Government as vague and unpractical. The Coalition is regarded as an electioneering manoeuvre ; and the new party as destitute of any real elements of strength. I cannot myself see that its component parts have any other solid bond of union than dislike of M. Századok, 1937. (Pótfüzet.) 38