A debate on the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina began
in the Austrian Chamber on Wednesday. The Christian Socialist leader, Prince. Alois Liechtenstein, moved that the Bill of Annexation be read a first time, and after justifying the annexation, he argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina must have autonomy (we quote from the Times) "under the Hapsburg sceptre, together with Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia, as a Banate of Southern Hungary." Dr. Shustershitch, the Southern Slav spokesman, declared that the provinces had every right to be united in one juridical body with the other Slav lands of the Crown. The Czech 'Socialist, M. Nemec, satirised the action of the Government in tearing up the Treaty of Berlin. The annexation had been inspired by Clericals who wanted to advance Roman Catholic interests in the provinces. All the Powers were displeased, and even Germany was sending Krupp guns concealed in coal-trucks to Servia.
