another German, and in the
third the two together. But no one was satisfied and the ministry
resigned. The coalition government of Count Thun Hohenstein which
succeeded labored in the interest of conciliation, but with absolutely
no success. Parliamentary sittings became but occasions for the
display of obstructive tactics, and even for resort to violence, and
legislation came to a standstill. By the use of every known device the
turbulent German parties rendered impossible the passage of even the
most necessary money bills, and the upshot was that, in the summer of
1898, the Government was obliged to fall back upon that extraordinary
portion of the Austrian constitution, commonly known as Section 14, by
which, in default of parliamentary legislation, the crown is
authorized to promulgate ordinances with the force of law. The period
of extra parliamentary government here inaugurated was destined to be
extended through more than six years and to comprise one of the most
remarkable chapters in recent political history.

*532. The Nadir of Parliamentarism.*--Following the retirement of the
Thun Hohenstein ministry, at the end of September, 1899, the
government of Count Clary-Aldingen revoked the language decrees; but
the parliamentary situation was not improved, for the Czechs resorted
forthwith to the same obstructionist tactics of which the Germans had
been guilty and the government had still to be operated principally on
the basis of Section 14. A provisional government under Dr. Wittek, at
the close of 1899, was followed by the ministry of Dr. Koerber,
established January 20, 1900; but all attempts at conciliation
continued to be unavailing. In September, 1900, the Reichsrath was (p. 481)
dissolved and the order for the new elections was accompanied by the
ominous declaration of the Emperor that the present appeal to the
nation would be the last constitutional means which would be employed
to bring the crisis to an end. Amid widespread depression, threats of
Hungarian independence, and rumors of an impending _coup d'etat_, the
elections took place, in January, 1901. The German parties realized
the largest gains, but the parliamentary situation was not materially
altered, and thereafter, until its fall, December 31, 1904, the Koerber
ministry continued to govern substantially without parliamentary
assistance. In 1901-1902, by various promises, the premier induced the
combatants to lay aside their animosities long enough