5 JUNE 1915, Page 3

The Leaders of the Opposition in Hungary, who are being

received in audience by the Emperor Francis Joseph, wish to lay before him matters which cannot be discussed with pro- priety in the Hungarian Chamber. One wonders what these matters may be. We know that one of the foremost political questions in Austria-Hungary now is whether the neutrality of Roumania can be purchased by concessions. It is notorious that the concession which Roumania desires above all others is that part of Transylvania which is inhabited mainly by Roumanians. Transylvania may be called Roumania Irre- dente. It seems quite likely, therefore, that the Magyars who lead the Opposition in Hungary wish to protest against any idea that Transylvania shall be surrendered. We do not forget that the Emperor's chief statesmen, Baron Burt= and Count Tisza, are both Magyars, and that the last thing they want to do is to lose Transylvania. On the other hand, Roumania would not be satisfied with anything less. So it may be that the Emperor, under German pressure, contem- plates the sacrifice. He knows from the Italian example what insufficient concessions lead to. If our explanation be right, Magyar° are denouncing a policy which the Magyars who are Ministers have reluctantly adopted as a necessity.