COUP FAILS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1921, Page 5

COUP FAILS.

MONARCHIST PLOT. HUNGARY'S EMPEROR RETURNS BUT RECEIVES NO SUPPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received Marches 1. 5.5 p.m. London, March 30. Karl’s dramatic coup to regain..the Crown of Hungary was a pathetic failure. The scheme in a Vienna hotel, which is the haunt of Monarchists, certain Hungarian clerics assisting in the plot. Karl was supposed to he staying at his villa near Lake Lucerne, when he suddenly appeared in Hungary, which he reached through Austria, where he partook of a secret dinner at which fourteen covers were laid on Good Friday, and at which he met leading Royalists.

These advised him not to go to Steinamanger immediately. When he reached Steinamanger on Saturday he summoned Colonel- Lehar (a brother of the composer of ‘The Merry Widow”), who is commanding the West Hungarian Amy Corps. West Hungary at present is a no man’s land. It has been promised to Austria, but Colonel Lehar’s troops refuse to give up the district. Colonel Lehar unexpectedly refused to place himself or his troops at Karl’s disposal, saying he had taken the oath as a soldier to the Regent, with whom he advised Karl to communicate. Apparently Col. Lehar was highly doubtful of the wisdom of the effort, and did not wish Karl to go to .Budapest. Karl, however, motored to Budapest, and. went to the palace on a hill overlooking the Danube, where Admiral Horthy is residing. When two cars appeared at the gateway,.one of the ex-Emperor’s party announced: “His Majesty the King desires to speak with the Governor.” The adjutant at the gate of the palace treated the matter as a joke, until Karl himself spoke to the adjutant. A conference •with Admiral Horthy then commenced. Karl was dumbfounded at his reception, and said he understood he would be received with gfreat popular jubilation. Admiral Horthy persuaded hiip that only a few army officers welcomed the Royal return, and finally the Monarchist officers with the ex-Emperor persuaded Karl that he had better abandon the scheme and leave the country. Karl wa® deeply moved, and returned to Steinamanger, where he is apparently seeking a method of leaving Hungary, which ia a difficult problem, as it is reported the Swiss Government has forbidden his return to Switzerland. Austria has strengthened the Austrian Guards to prevent the Monarchist movement spreading, and meanwhile ffii Allied Note demanding the expulsion of Karl |s expected immediately. The exlEmperor may be sent to Spain, undtr a strong Jugo-Slav guard. The Budapest authorities censored the news of the coup as long as possible, but there is little doubt they now sincerely de«ire to rid themselves of £arl. —Aus. And N.Z. Cable Assn. WRONGLY INFORMED. THOUGHT PEOPLE BEHIND HIM. Received March 31 5.5 p.m. Vienna, March 30. According to the latest messages. Karl arrived at Steinamanger, and interviewed Count Teleky. who endeavored to dissuade Karl from going to the Royal Palace to interview the Regent. Admiral Horthy was there. Karl, however had a three hours’ interview with Admh-al Horthy,’ and asked that the reins of government be handed over to him. . , Admiral Horthy replied that the request wae ridiculous, adding that Karl had better dear out, as his presence would imperil Austria. Karl finally agreed that he had been wrongly advfeed, but he aAed in the belief that the Erendb Government was willing that the Monarchy should be restored. It is understood Karl has now gone to Spam. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

OPPOSITION TO KARL. THE ALLIES’ OBJECTION. London, March 30. Vienna is excited over the ex-Hmperor Karl’s visit to Hungary. It is now re. ported that he has gone to Stemamanger. where he is' residing at the archbishop’s palace, which is guarded by the military. The Hungarian Cabinet and many army officers have arrived there. The public is forbidden to enter alleged the Ministerial Council decided to crown Karl King of Hungary. It is stated that Kail told Admiral Horthy that France had officially intimated it did not object to bis return, nevertheless Admiral Horthy replied that Karl’s departure was impera- ’ Count Andrassy has taken to Steinamanger the * official Allied intimation opposing Karl’s return to the Hungarian throne. „ , A Geneva message states it is alleged that warrants have been issued against persons facilitating the exile’s visit, and an inquiry ordered into the international situation arising therefrom. Austria is taking precautions against monarchist attempts, and is guarding the frontiers and enforcing a strict censorship: —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. Rome, March 30. The Press is hostile in its comments Karl’s return to Hungary.

FRENCH REPORTS ON POSITION.

Paris, March 30. The Petit Journal states that neither the Czecho-Slovaks nor the Roumanians will allow Karl’s return to the throne. The Rome correspondent, of The Temps declares that the attempt is purposely timed to upset the agreement, which the conference representing the States of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire was ahout to make respecting economic, commercial and transport questions, thus destroying the laborious efforts towards reconstruction.—United Service.