KARL’S ADVENTURE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 7

KARL’S ADVENTURE

BACKED BY SMALL FORCE OF ROYALISTS BROKEN RABBLE IN ,■ . RETIREMENT By Telegraph -Press Association— Copyright London, October 26. Ihe correspondent of the "Daily Exprossi" at Budapest gives tho first full account of the dramatic events of the past thirty-six hours.® Karl’s forces never exceeded -.1000, and in the final battle ha had only SOO in the firing line. Three battalions of the Budapest garrison were engaged with four companies of Karlists, who lay entrenched behind a hill crest. There was never hand-to-hand fighting; the action was fought with machine-guns and rifles, and stray shots fell in the streets of Budapest. Karl, no doubt, hoped to get to Budapest with a fight. During tho action he wae a thousand yards behind the line, watching the fight through field-glasses. The Empress Zita was nt his side clasping his hand, and praying for success. Only when a wounded Royalist was brought in, she loft her husband for a moment, to pray over the dying man. When Admiral Horthy’s reinforcement® were brought up, both sides saw the leader advance with a white flag. Officers of the Government troops responded, and a parley was hold at the railway signalling station. The Government s conditions were that if Karl renounced his rights to the throne he could live with his family at tfie Royal Castle at Gcdollo, near Budapest, and would bo treated with, honour, hut he must surrender. Karl refused the conditions, and the Monarchists began to retire. A heavy downfall of rain prevented further fighting. That night Karl shared a broken-windowed seoond-class railway carriage with his consort. Next morning part of Karl’s forces entrained, and others retired by road. Admiral Horthy s battalions'followed. but were careful to avoid coptact with the Karlists, who by now ware a broken rabble, and organ to snrrerder, until Karl had not a hundred men. Karl held a final council, at which Count Andrassy, Dr. Gratz, nnd Rakovsky (the ex-Premier) were present. Karl said: "My dear friends, I cannot ask von for more. The game is finished. We ’will await our fate calmly here.’’ Tho five then awaited Admiral Horthy’s troop’, and surrendered, and were escorted to Count Esterhazy a castle. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE EX-EMPEROR’S FATE DELIVERY DEMANDED BY LITTLE ENTENTE. London, October 27. Advices from Prague state that) the question of Karl’s fate has assumed a new aspect in consequence of the Hungarian Regent and Premier announcing that the constitution does not allow thorn to surrender him to the Allies or thq Little Entente. Meantime the Little Entente has issued an ultimatum demanding Karl’s delivery within fortyeight hours, and also a guarantee for cli^nTmament, and full -indemnity for th© costs of mobilisation. —Reuter. Paris, October 27. The ’ Ambassadors’ Conference has decided that Karl shall bo taken aboard a British gunboat at Budapest, and await the decision a.q to his place of internment. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUPPORTERS HANDED OVER FOR TRIAL. (Roc. October 28, 5.5 p.m.) Vienna, Otcober 27. Count Andrassy, Rakovsky, and Gratz have been handed over for trial. Kan s health has broken down. He is weeping continuously, and only eating slops served by the ex-Empress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LITTLE ENTENTE’S MILITARY PREPARATIONS REQUEST OF BRITAIN AND FRANCE . CAUSES ANNOYANCE. Vienna, October 27. The request of the British and French Governments that the Little Entente should cease military preparations as the Karl incident has ended is causing deep annoyance at Belgrade and Prague, where it is asserted that England and France show far more leniency towards Hungary than is desirable in the interests of European peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POVERTY-STRICKEN SUITE Paris, October 27. The resources of . the members of Karl’s suite are so limited that they are living from hand to month. They have not sufficient money to leave Switzerland. Karl has many debt® in Switzerland, and the majority of. the Crown jewels are pledged to Swiss banks. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE EX-EMPRESS’S DEBTS. (Rec. October 28, 8.10 p.m.) London, October 27. The ex-Em pre®? Zita owes .£lOO,OOO in Switzerland. She has been living at the rate of £40,000 a year.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 2