The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-25
Austria in Danger of Disruption
by BOIsheviStS.
So Says Former Emperor
Charles in Interview.
SAYS HELP IS NEEDED NOW
Appeals to America To Send
People Food.
Not a Day Should Be Lost In
Dispatch.

Vienna, Nov. 24.-Declaring that
there is pressing need in Austria for
assistance from America and the al.
lies, former Emperor Charles of Aus
tria- Hungary insisted today that the
danger of Bolshevism is very great in
his country In conversation with a
correspondent of the Associated Press
the former sovereign told of the peril
which is impending.
The former emperor. his wife and
five children are at Eckertsau castle.
With them are a few faithful men and
women, including Count Alexander
Esterhazy, former chief of court to
the emperor. and Naval Captain See
dank. An interview with the former
emperor was granted after the request
had been transmitted thru the presi-
dent of the council OF the German
Austrian republic. The correspondent
twenty-five miles to the castle, which
is located in the center of a vast plain
devoted to farming. This plain is
dotted here and there with clusters of
villages. made up of low, one story
houses not unlike the settlements in
Dutch Pennsylvania. Men and wo-
men were busy in the fenceless fields
digging beet roots when the corre-
spondent passed by.
Eckertsau castle is constructed of
stone and is surrounded by trees. 1t is
guarded by few soldiers. althp there
are scarcely any callers. The building
dates from the twelfth century but its
large rooms were remodeled century
ago and later handsomely furnished.
SO that the castle now appears to be
merely a luxurious country place.
AS the correspondent entered the
gates he was met by Captain Seedank
and conducted thru a lofty hall to the
second story of the CASTER whereNhe
was received by the former emperor.
Charles wore a generals uniform and
was apparently vigorous, but lines
about his blue eyes gave hints of the
stress of recent days. He appeared to
feel keenly that great tragedy has
come thru the collapse of his empire.
but he cordially greeted the corre-
spondent The former emperor spoke
first in English and then lapsed into
French.
Lose Not u Day.
II authorize the Associated Press to
say that not a single day should be
lost by America and the allies in help
| ing the people here, SO grave is the
| situation" he said. During the war
one of my preoccupatfpns was the
task of obtaining food for the soldiers
and people, bnt now, Notwithstanding
all my efforts, it is most distressing to
| find there is none left for them. If
! America and the allies do not recog-
niZe this fact, suffering here will be
very great with a few weeks. Indeed,
| it is already so. and every day we do
not use in the endeavor to get food is
a day lost.
1--WE have done our best and more
cannot be done. If food and coal are
not brought. we shall have disorder in
| Vienna. Possibly that disorder from
! Russia, which We call Bolshevism, will
| come. The people are firm. kind and
| patient, but when anyone is without
! food he is apt to do many unusual and
violent things Looking back, we may
| recall that Bolshevism started in Rus
sia because of the lack of food. I
! think it in the interest of the allies
! to aid us. as Bolshevism, when started.
J may spread and become a danger to
the allies, too.
Fuel Very Short.
| "Our> coal and food situation IL
| worse because of transportation con.
| ditions. The railroads became lady
| disorganized lately. / am very glad
! to see an American who represents 4
! country which is working for peace.
L have worked for peace always
Regarding the future-I cannot
speak of the past-I can only repeat
that | feel did my duty. However,
l do hope that peace will bring good
understa nding among all peoples"
Showed No Bitterness.
During the interview the former
monarch did not show bitterness to.
Continued on Page Two.I