The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1921. KARL’S FIASCO.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1921. KARL’S FIASCO.

The complete failure of the exEmperor Karl’s coup to regain his 'sway over his former subjects was a foregone conclusion, and shows how little he and his supporters realised the trend of events since the collapse of the dual monarchy in 1918, when the various nationalities comprised in Austria and Hungary declared themselves separate States, and Hungary disassociated itself from Austria. Strenuous efforts were made to proclaim the success of the restoration coup, but it fizzled out like a damp squib, leaving Karl a prey to violent despair, and resulting in his reported departure from the country under strict survfeillance. Apparently he is still in Hungary attempting to brazen out the situation, but his departure is only a matter of time. Whether lie returns to Switzerland under the conditions imposed by the Swiss Government, or goes to Spain or elsewhere, is not of much importance so long as the lesson he has just learned convinces him that the days of the Hapsburgs are over, and that they can no longer be allowed to be a disturbing factor in the world’s peace. Possibly it is as well that the foolish attempt was made by Karl to regain his monarchy, as it may prove a useful check on any similar madness by the Hohenzollerns. It may be that the monarchist party relied on the effect of the Allies tightening the screw on Germany, and the consequent opportunities of influencing the large Teutonic population in Austria and Hungary. Whatever may have been the dominating factor in the abortive movement, the Jugo-Slavs, Czechs, Roumanians, and other nationalities interested in self-dependence had to be reckoned with, and they have made it clear they would not permit a return to the old regime, and will undoubtedly take steps for armed resistance an! invasion. This determined attitude should .lead to Karl’s ignominious departure tir- an obscurity from which he should never again emerge. The fact that the Austrian Assembly enthusiastically and unanimously decided to maintain the Republican system of €k)vernm«at i« * hopeful sign for

the future of the country, as well as an incentive to the Allies to render that aid which is so greatlyneeded there. It may be that Karl is more to be pitied than blamed for being made the victim' of an intrigue doomed to failure, for neither his former subjects nor the Allies have any use for his services for good or evil- In the days of the dual monarchy, AustroHungary was the second largest country in the Continent of Europe, whereas now the two separated countries comprise' a comparatively insignificant area, owing to the rise of independent States out of the ruins of the former Empire. It will naturally take some years before these new States become firmly established on a sound financial basis, and Austria as well as Hungary recovers from the effects of the war. That is a strong reason for the utter failure of Karl’s coup without the necessity of applying armed force and thus retarding the work of reorganisation and progress. It is to be hoped that no further trouble will arise when the fiasco is ended, either from the Hapsburgs or Hohenzollerns, and that the people of the countries over which they held sway will fully realise the value of the freedom they now enjoy, and devote themselves to cultivating peace, and working out their salvation with energy and determination. By such means they can become a bulwark of civilisation instead of a menace to the world’s peace.