Ex-King’s Evil Genius

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1922, Page 4

Ex-King’s Evil Genius

URGED TO DISASTER BY HIS WIFE. SPIES’ REPORT ON CARE’S PLOTS. (Daily Mail-) BUDAPEST, Dec. 12. Owing to the continued attacks of the ex-King Carl’s followers the Government Lave issued a White-book containing a secret document on Carl’s recent fight for the Hungarian throne. The book is intended to justify Admiral Horthy’s attitude as Regent during the critical times which led to Carl’s banishment to Madeira. Confidential reports of the Government’s spies in Switzerland advised Budapest of several preparations bv Carl to return to Hungary. These attempts were frustrated through the Swiss authorities being informed in time. Admial Horthy wrote several letters to Carl imploring him to remain in exile as his re-aoeession would inevitably lead to the annihilation of 'Hungary by the Little Entente (Rumania, Czecho-Slovakia, and South Slavia). Carl’ls pecuniary embarrassment is clearly seen through the disclosure of negotiations with his confidential representative, Dr Gratz, who asked for subsidies. Also a few weeks before the bid for the throne the Premier, Count Bethlen, agreed to sell some of the royal properties and the wines of tho royal vineyard, retaining the capital in tire country to pay the interest to thp distressed roal couple. But, as disclosed % the secret reports, exQueen Zita urged her fickle husband, to return, and attributed the failure of the first attempt to the fact that she did not accompany Carl. The White-book also publishes code reports from the Hungarian representative in Prague about the mobilisation of the Army and conferences with Dr Penes, the Premier, who made the Hun garian Government responsible for the consequences. Similar reports came from a representative in Belgrade.. Following tlte advice of the Britis.i Charge d’Affaires. Mr Holder, the Government refrained from counter-mea-sures on the OzooK and South Slav borders and collected troops against the advancing Carl. Before th© battle begnn Admiral Horthy sent a letter to Carl and, alluding to his mental struggles, said: “Your Majesty’s advance will provoke civil war, hut I cannot wihdraw. If your Majesty enters Budapest, Hungary will have ceased to exist as an independent State.” The letter was unheeded, and the battle began, and the Can-lists were defeated. The documents) are making a great impression in Parliament, where the immunity of the arrested Cnrlist deputies is still causing storms and whore Count Apponyi to-day declared (that Carl is still the crowned King of Hungary. I am informed that the Government are trying a reconciliation, and will probably pardon Count Andrassy and his associates under aj promise that they will withdraw from polities.