IN HUNGARY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1930, Page 2

IN HUNGARY

CLAIM FOR THE THRONE, On the break-up of the Dual Empire (Austria-Hungary) . in October 3lst, 1918, a revolution began the movement for a republic, King Karl abdicating on November 13th. Three days later the republic was proclaimed with Count Alichael Karolyi as provisional President. Disorder followed, a Bolshevik Government, with Bela Kim dominant, was set up on March 22m1, 1919, but was swept away with the assistance of the Rumanian army. A National Government was re-established on August 7th, 1919. Elections with manhood suffrage were held in January and February. 1820, a bloc of parties of the Right succeeding to the control of a Provisional National Assembly, which elected Admiral Hortliy as Governor of Hungary. On Alareli 23rd, 1920, a Government order declared Hungary a Afonarehy, and Admiral Hortliy 'was styled Regent. However, two attempts of the late King-Emperor Karl to regain the throne in 1921, failed. The Archduke Franz Josef Otto, was born at Villa Wartholz, Lower Austria, on November 20th, 1912. He is the eldest son of the ex-King-Emperor Karl 1., ot 'ustria, who was also King Karl IV.. of Hangar, and of Princess Zita, of Bourbon-Parma. His father died in exile at Funchal, Albdeira, in April. 1922. In November, 1818, the family were expelled from Austria and took up their abode in Switzerland, living first at Schloss Hertenstein on the Lake of Lucerne. When the cx-Km-per and Empress, after their two abortive attempts to regain the throne of Hungary, were banished b.v the Allies to Madeira in 1921, the children were taken to Schloss Wartegg, -Switzland, the seat of the ducal family of Bo'irhon-Parma, whose head is the step-brother of the ex-Empross Zita. Later, when she was allowed to go to Spain, her eight children were taken (here.

In April. 1922, a conference of the 1 ( ‘ivillmist parties in Hungary declared that it regarded Otto as King of Hungary, and that his coronation had been prevented merely hy vis major. The ex-Empross Zita. Queen-Mother, the statement added, was to he the guardian of tin* King’s interests. But in November. 1922, the Hungarian Government replied to this declaration by decreeing the abolition of tin* entire llapshurg dynasty so far as Hungary was concerned. This decision, however, i.s not recognised bv the Legitimists on tin* ground that it was arrived at under pressure from (lie Entente. As Ibi* representative of (fie Legitimists. Count Josef Karolyi is in atlendnneo on the ex-Em press and is charged with i he supervision of Olio's < ilucalion. He has declared llial anv

forcible, solution of the dynastic question v.ouid. not-he in the interests ot the young •'King.” .After, a visit in the spring of 1927 to -the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg Otto wa.s sent tliere in the summer to continue his education, receiv■ng -lessons • at..the . Benedictine Abbey of- Clcrf. in the autumn of 1929; it was declared that lie should attend Louvain University -anil the ex-Empress with lier eight children left Spain and took up her abode in Belgium in order to be hear ‘her-eldest son. There was talk from time to time of Otto being chosen King of Hungary on condition that he renounced' his' right to ’.the Austrian throne to placate the Powers, .hut on this point his mother was obdurate. This year, however, he comes of. age, and will be able, to decide for himself if the crown is offered him.

Other .possible claimants for the Hungarian throne are Archduke Joseph Francis, born March 28th. 1895, son of Archduke Joseph* and Archduke Albert, born July 24th, 1897, a son of the enormously wealthy Archduke Frederick. Count Bethlen, the Prime Minister, on May 23rd, 1927. declared that he would not allow the question to be discussed, and that a king was “not possible in the next few years.”