most important result of this was that Hungary attained the status of an independent customs area, but, under the arrangement for reciprocity, still maintained intact the existing conditions of the Customs Union with Austria. In 1901, under Széll's Ministry, the new elections resulted in a Liberal victory, and Prime Minister Széll formed a government. A year later began the struggle for the reform of the national defense, and Széll introduced in 1902 a law for increasing the number of recruits, in exchange for which the Independent Party — under the slogan of "no more soldiers without the introduction of Hungarian as the language service and command" — wanted concessions to the principle of nationality. The obstruction against the provision for defense lasted from the end of January to 4 April 1903, and resulted in the suspension of the constitution ("Ex lex" condition). Széll sought to wear down the opposition by delay. As part of the majority would not agree to this, he resigned on 16 June 1903. Party leader When his successor, István Tisza, on 18 November 1904, brought about a split in the Liberal party by forcing through parliament new rules of procedure, Széll joined Gyula Andrássy in the secession from the party. Under the coalition cabinet of Sándor Wekerle, Széll was chosen chairman of the Constitution Party. He tried continually, but in vain, to bridge the opposition between Tisza and Andrássy. Family Széll married Ilona Vörösmarty, daughter of poet Mihály Vörösmarty on 16 September 1867. They had a daughter, named Ilona. His niece Marianne Csáky-Széll married Czech violinist Jan Kubelík. Notes References 1845 births 1915 deaths People from Vas County Hungarian nobility Deák Party politicians Liberal Party (Hungary) politicians National Constitution Party politicians Prime Ministers of Hungary Hungarian Interior Ministers Foreign ministers of Hungary Finance ministers of Hungary 19th-century Hungarian politicians