They Were Divided - Miklos Banffy [104]
Slawata replied pensively, ‘Well, it’s the only thing against it.’
‘It certainly is not! There are far deeper and more serious matters at stake. The very stability of the Monarchy lies in its respect for tradition. It rests on tradition and in turn is upheld by it. The ties between the monarch and the different strata of society and of the administration of the country are legion. The ruler who ignores this, and starts to destroy these links and replace them with something altogether less ancient, reputable and respected, will destroy the foundation on which his kingdom rests. A dictator thrown up by a revolution can do this because he owes his pre-eminence to his popularity. A successful general can do it because he is supported by his troops. But that sort of power rarely outlives the man who creates it. Such a dictator can try to make all men equal, and indeed he is wise to attempt it, if only because such potent personal rule will always be more effective if it is imposed on a homogenous society than on one based on a historic class structure, which is the historic rock on which hereditary monarchy is built. Hereditary power is only possible when it rules a society that is itself built up in layers whose traditional apex is the Crown. There is nothing logical in this. It is a historical and emotional acceptance of an illogical fact; that is all. The monarch who turns demagogue and who puts himself at the head of popular revolutionary movements may fancy that he’s feathering his own nest, but what he’s really doing is preparing the way for a republic, or for the ruin of his country!’
Slawata smiled ironically as he said, ‘All that is sheer Montesquieu – esprit des lois!’
‘Of course! But it is no less true, however long ago it was written. Anyway we are only guessing. All this is purely hypothetical and I, for one, don’t believe His Majesty has any intention of abdicating … so all this talk is really about nothing, at least for the moment. Khuen-Hedervary will resign and a new government will be formed which will reform the suffrage laws, which in my opinion should have been done long ago. I hear that Justh is quite ready, at least for a year, to drop all that tiresome obstructionism, especially as regards the army estimates. So, if the army question is out of the way, the other reforms the Heir wants to see could well be presented without upsetting anyone.’
Slawata’s reply took Balint by surprise.
‘But we don’t want anything while Franz-Josef is still on the throne. Indeed we’ll make quite sure no real reform is possible. Perhaps some little concession here and there, but only if it proves unavoidable. His Highness wants to do it all after he succeeds to the throne, and until then he’ll do everything in his power to prevent any changes. If Laszlo Lukacs becomes Minister-President, which seems likely, he’ll forbid it outright!’
‘Even if that means holding up the defence proposals?’ marvelled Balint.
‘Even that!’
‘I just don’t understand! Surely, in these critical times, the country’s military readiness is vital to the Monarchy itself? Isn’t that just what the Heir has been trying to achieve?’
‘Of course, but