THE RESOLUTION OF FIUME (October 4, 1905)

In view of the political position into which the Monarchy has fallen as a consequence of the crisis in Hungary, the Croat deputies met together for the purpose of defining their attitude towards this situation and determining the direction of the political work of the Croat nation in the questions which are undisputed and common to all, and which do not prejudice the theoretical standpoint which they uphold in parliamentary life, whether as members of the Club or as individuals.

The Croat deputies hold that the public events of to-day in Hungary arose in consequence of the struggle which aimed at gradually securing for the Kingdom of Hungary complete State independence.

The Croat deputies regard these efforts as justified by the very fact that every nation has the right to decide freely and independently concerning its existence and its fate.

The Croat deputies are convinced that the two nations, the Croatian and the Hungarian, not only in view of their historic relations, but still more in view of the fact of direct neighbourhood and the real needs of their life and mutual aid are thrown upon each other, and that therefore they must avoid every cause and ground for mutual friction.

Starting from the premisses, the Croat deputies consider it to be their duty to fight side by side with the Hungarian nation for the fulfilment of all constitutional rights and liberties, in the conviction that the said rights and liberties will be of advantage to the Croatian and Hungarian nations: and thus will be laid the basis of a lasting understanding between the two nations.

These aims - namely the mutual advantages defined above - having been attained, there is laid down as a condition the speediest reincorporation of Dalmatia in the Kingdoms of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia, to whom it already falls both virtually and lawfully.

With a view to approaching to the realization of the reincorporation of Dalmatia, it is necessary that an end shall be put as soon as possible to the present intolerable parliamentary and constitutional political conditions in Croatia and Slavonia, and that such

conditions shall be introduced as shall correspond to the needs of civilized countries and to the claims of constitution and liberty, to the guaranteed liberal constitutional institutions, such as, for example:

An electoral law such as will render possible and assure the elections of such national representatives as shall be the true expression of the unhindered and free national will;

Compete press freedom, with the abolition of objective proceedings and the introduction of juries for political and press offences;

Freedom of Assembly and Association and free expression of opinion;

Realization of judicial independence, the guarantee to every judge that he cannot be removed or held responsible for his judicial acts;

Organization of the special institution of a court of constitutional law for the protection of the interests and political rights of the citizens against the arbitrary action of the authorities;

Organization of a special court for the criminal responsibility of all public officials for violation of the law.

The Croat deputies are convinced that a lasting understanding between the Croat and Hungarian nations can be most speedily attained by the punctual and strict fulfilment of the rights of the Croatian nation, as contained in the existing Croato-Hungarian Compromise, and by the alteration of the relations which belongs to the sphere of affairs which are to-day common alike to Croatia and Hungary, and to the Western half of the Monarchy - in such a way that an independent political, cultural, financial and general economic existence and development may be assured to the Croatian nation.

As a natural consequence of events, every advance made by the people of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia will exercise a favourable influence upon the condition of those of our race who live in other lands, particularly at the most exposed point, namely in the sisterland of Istria.

With a view to examining and, previous to realisation, revising the principles, aims and demands here enunciated, a committee of five deputies has been elected, who will have the further task of advancing a preparing for decision those questions which are common to all our countries or are of advantage to the general national wellbeing.

From the meeting of Croatian National deputies

Fiume, October 3, 1905