No authentic statement of' the Austrian plan for reform of
the Federation has yet been published ; but it is said that the main idea will be to apply the Parliamentary system to all Germany. The Upper House would be composed of the representatives of the Sovereigns and the mediatized Princes ; the Lower of representatives chosen by all the Diets. This assembly would legislate upon all Imperial questions, and its decrees would be carried out by an executive body consisting of representatives from seven States under the presidency of Austria. These are the rumours ; but it must be remembered that by the constitution of the Confederation every organic change must be accepted by every State. This rule would scent to preclude action ; but the Germans still regard the meeting as of the highest importance, and we shall be somewhat surprised if it ends without some attempt to restore to the House of Hapsburg its old Imperial Crown. An Emperor of Germany commanding 600,000 men, and backed by public opinion, ought to be able in a very few years to bring about substantial unity.
