On Monday the expected Dissolution of the Hungarian Diet took
place. From an early hour the approaches to the House were held by soldiers, and policemen were posted throughout the building. The two Vice-Presidents of the Chamber protested against the presence of the police, and after consultation with the party leaders of both sides, re- turned unopened the Royal Rescript to the officers who brought it. The Deputies then left the House, and a Honved officer, Colonel Fabricius, surrounded by a cordon of police- men, read the Rescript to empty benches. The document declared that, the allied parties having refused to take office except on a basis violating the Royal prerogatives, the King, to the sorrow of his heart and on the advice of the Ministry, was compelled to declare Parliament dissolved. In spite of the protest of the Vice-Presidents, the method of Dissolution seems to have been legal, and the Liberals, though not the Coalition, have recognised it as such. It is doubtful whether the Coalition leaders will think it wise to fight on this constitu- tional point, and ignore the Dissolution by assembling again. The result, however, of the incident has not been to lessen the breach between King and people. According to the Constitu- tion, new elections must take place within three months of a Dissolution, and these can only result in the return of a majority still more united against the Crown.
