27 JANUARY 1912, Page 18

The Vienna correspondent of the Times has sent a connected

account during the week of the strong attack which is being made on Count Aelirenthal. We little thought at the time of Count Aehrenthal's annexation policy that we should have to regard him now as standing for a policy of peace against a revolt of the aggressive military and clerical elements. Yet so it is. The military and clerical insurgents demand a prompt and expensive increase of armaments, and, although they explain that their policy is purely defensive and to save the country from being taken unawares, one cannot forget that it is these same insurgents who have stirred up bitterness against Italy, urged the concentration of troops on the Italian frontier, and, more or less, openly advocated further acquisitions in the Balkans. Count Aehrenthal is a man of much determination and courage, and, so far as is known, is still trusted by the Emperor Francis Joseph, but his position is unhappily under- mined by serious illness.