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. 99 Treaty stipulations, involving either extraordinary financial operations, or so grave a proceeding as the occupation and virtual annexation of the Provinces of an Ally. The argument that the occupation was undertaken in execution of a European mandate, and in the interest of a European arrangement, does not relieve the Government from the obligation of obtaining the approval of the Legislature at the earliest possible moment ; and it is almost astounding that Count Andrassy should have been led to declare that he, a former Prime Minister of Hungary, was not going to concern himself with questions of internal state right. It is true that he is by the Dual System personally responsible only to the Delegations ; but he cannot afford to ignore the Legislative Bodies from which alone the Delegations derive their authority and importance; or to bring into greater prominence the artificiality and complexity of the organisation invented by Count Beust and Mr. Deák. With all his talent and versatility Count Andrassy is not a practical man ; and great fluency of speech and a highly sympathetic manner may even be dangerous gifts to a Minister in his position. He is not what is called a "serious statesman" here, and he never seems to have derived all the profit which he might have done from his long continued exile abroad, passed in countries where he had good opportunities of studying the various phases and contrasts of Parliamentary and quasi-Parliamentary Government, and of grounding himself thoroughly in the elements of Constitutional practice. His association with "the two Chancellors" has not tended to develop in his temper any deference to the indications of popular sentiment, or any inclination to treat the arguments of political opponents with forbearance and respect. He now finds himself suddenly and seriously checked ; and his first idea will probably be to invoke the intervention of the Emperor, and employ His Imperial Majesty's prestige and influence to extricate him from his difficulties. At any rate the Emperor has been advised to summon a meeting of the Ministers, at which His Majesty himself will preside ; so that the Sovereign will thus be responsible for the action which in the present crisis it may be considered advisable to take. It is now said that a canvass of the whole Austrian Delegation shows that there is a majority in favour of Dr. Herbst's motion. I have the honour etc. No. 80. Buda Pesth, Nov. 28, 1878. Sir, In the sitting of the Austrian Delegation this morning, Count C'oronini, the President, announced that he had received from Count Andrassy the following communication : "I have the honour to bring to the knowledge of the Illustrious Delegation of the Reichsrath that the Common Ministry has, with the Imperial sanction, decided to withdraw the Bill for a credit of sixty millions, supplementary to the already granted extraordinary credit for 1878." As I have already reported to Your Excellency by Telegraph, this decision averts for the present a Ministerial crisis ; but it constitutes, on the part of Count Andrassy, an admission of defeat, and a defeat which may be productive of serious consequences. The majority of the Delegation may not be inclined to go the length indicated by the action of the Committee; but as nearly all the lawyers
