Mr. Motley to Mr. Hunter
Sir: As postscript to my despatch of yesterday, which will probably go by the same mail which takes this, I have to state that important changes in the cabinet have just taken place.
It is officially announced that the Archduke Regnier, president of the council of ministers, has received, at his own request, a long leave of absence, and that [Page 33] the minister of foreign affairs and of the imperial household, Count Mensdorf, will act provisionally as president.
It is further announced that his Majesty has accepted the resignation of Count Hermann Zichy, aulic chancellor of Hungary, and of Count Nadasdy, director of the aulic chancery of Transylvania.
Mr. George Von Maylath has already taken the oath of office as chancellor of Hungary.
It is further understood that State Minister von Schmerling, Police Minister Baron Mescery, Finance Minister von Plener, and the ministers von Hein and von Lasser, have likewise resigned, and that they are now holding office, at the request of the Emperor, only until their successors can be appointed.
In short, the Schmerling administration, identified with the February constitution and with the idea of the parliamentary centralization of the imperial dominions, has come to an end.
The principal and immediate cause of this change of policy is undoubtedly the Hungarian question, and the appointment of Mr. De Maylath, one of the leaders of the conservative party in Hungary, as chancellor of that kingdom, points to an attempt at a compromise.
The statesman most prominently mentioned as successor to Mr. De Schmerling is Count Beleredi, at present Statthalter of Bohemia, belonging to the anti-centralization and aristocratic party.
I have not time to add anything more, save that the changes would seem to be in the direction of a federal and aristocratic, as opposed to a centralizing and more popular policy.
Before the next post day it is probable that the various rumors now circulating as to the new cabinet will have given place to facts.
I have the honor to remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. W. Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, Washington.