30 DECEMBER 1871, Page 2

The situation in Austria is a singular one, and not

very easily intelligible. The Reichsrath contains 202 members, and one-half plus; one is easential to a quorum, without which the machine cannot work. The great object, therefore, of the Constitutional or German party is to obtain 102 seats, hied of the Federalists to defeat this design. According to the figures given by the Vienna correspondent of the Times, the Germans expected 117 without the Galicians; but they have lost Bohemia, and have therefore only 102, which allows no margin for the absence of even one member. It is necessary, therefore, to conciliate the Galicians, and the Emperor, in his speech on opening the Reichsrath on Thursday, personally promises them any terms " confined to that province" and "consistent with the unity of the Empire." The Galiciano have accordingly voted the Budget for three months, and there are as yet 119 members in the House. The Emperor promises a host of domestic improvements, especially liberal ecclesiastical bills, but until it is known that the Galicians will come to terms no offer is of much importance. Even if they do, no Constitu-

tional amendments can be carried without a two-thirds' majority, or 136 votes.