4 NOVEMBER 1893, Page 17

The Austrian crisis is not over. Count Taaffe has resigned,

and the Emperor appears disposed to create a Ministry of Affairs with the Conservative leader as Premier, and the heads of each group opposed to the Count as members of the Cabinet. The differences of principle between the groups lie, however, very deep, and the Reform Bill which they would propose would not satisfy public expectation. It seems almost foolish when the Government and the masses have alike pro- posed a nearly universal suffrage, to fancy that a system of election by classes can be farther maintained. The attempt will probably be made, but the Emperor is obviously acting with great reluctance and hesitation, and intermediately in- sists that under the Constitution the choice of Ministers rests with him. Parliament may reject them, but he is to choose; which, according to precedent, is true.