The project of establishing universal suffrage in Austria has not
been abandoned. It was announced everywhere that Count Taaffe had given it up, but an interview with the Emperor changed his mind, and on October 23rd he proposed the first reading of the new Electoral Law. Its principle is that "all who fulfil their duties in accordance with the law shall enjoy the franchise;" and from this principle the Govern- ment will never depart. The main reason assigned by the Premier is the strength of the masses now left outside and clamouring for admittance; but he admitted that he hoped to infuse greater vitality into Parliament and to overcome many difficulties with his nationalities. There is no chance of the Bill passing in this Parliament, as the Conservatives, the Germans, the Poles, and all middle-class representatives are strongly opposed to it ; but the Government intends to dissolve on the first opportunity, and go to the country with the new fran- chise. We have discussed the situation elsewhere; but may say here that by the consent of all parties the new suffrage will completely submerge the middle-class, and give a new strength to the Slav population within the Cis-Leithan half of the Monarchy.
