THE SOUTHERN SLAVS 
AND THE AUSTRIAN MONARCHY 


Not a word from the theatre of war. Not a syllable confirming the 
fabulous report of Bem’s crossing into Wallachia, which may now be 
regarded as pure martial-law rumour, since after the arrival of the 
alleged courier no Bulletin has appeared. 

There is, on the other hand, interesting news of the Austrian Slavs. 
Among the Czech townspeople and peasants, says the Augsburg 
Allgemeine Zeitung,* Kossuth’s name is regarded with the same respect 
and wonder as Napoleon’s, and people were arrested in Prague for 
raising a cheer for Kossuth. The Siidslavische Zeitung writes from 
Vinkovci, March 24: 


“Travellers today brought us the news that extraordinary excitement reigns in 
Semlin. Street processions in Hungarian costume, Hungarian freedom songs, Eljens 
and Zivios for Kossuth resounding through the town.” 


Todorovich has withdrawn from Kanizsa to Kikinda (between the 
Theiss and the Maros), and has thus by no means united with 
Jellachich. The blockade of Szegedin and Theresiopel has therefore 
been completely raised. This retreat obviously took place as a result of 
the discontent among the Serbs. 

The cause of this dampening down of the Serbian lust for plunder 
is Austria’s vacillating policy, making promises to the Serbs today, to 
the Magyars tomorrow, and regarding the rich Hungarian aristocra- 
cy (which can easily be restored to power and influence again after 
an Austrian victory) as a better ally in the long run than the chaos of 
classes, interests and conditions of the South-Slav and especially the 
Serbian provinces. 


* “Prag, 25. Marz,” Augsburg Allgemeine Zeitung No. 91, April 1, 1849.— Ed. 
y “Long live!” in Hungarian and Serbo-Croatian.— Ed. 




For the amusement of our readers we print the latest martial-law 
rumour: 

Kossuth is said to be involved in negotiations with the Government 
and to be making the following condition for Hungary’s complete 
and immediate submission: the acceptance of the Constitution 
drafted by the Imperial Diet for the whole monarchy and his 
appointment as the Governor of Hungary!!! 

Baja has not yet been retaken, Nugent bombarded it in vain. 

Bem has imposed a contribution of 100,000 florins on Hermann- 
stadt. The Romanians are quite discouraged; a Landsturm can no 
longer be raised.