The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-25
FORMER RULER
OF AUSTRIANS
MAKES APPEAL
FOR HIS PEOPLE
Suffering Will Be Intense in
Country if Allies do Not
Send Food at Once, Cor
respondent Told.
FEARS B0LSHEvISM
by Associated Press,

| BY Associated Press)
| VIENNA, Sunday, Nov. 24.-Declar-
in that there is pressing Eeed in Aus
the allies, former Emperor Charles OF
Austria-HIngary insisted today that
the danger of Bolshevism is very great
in his country. 1t was in conversa-
ton with a correspondent of The AS,
sociated Press that the sovereign told
Of the peril which is impending.
/ The former emperor, his wife and
! five children, Otto, Roert, Felix, Carl
and Adelheid, are at Ecketsau castle.
With them are few faithful men and
women, including Count Alexander Es-
! terhazy. former chief of court to the
emperor and Naval Captain Seedank.
An interview with the former emperor
was granted after the request had
been transmitted through the presi-
dent of the council of the German Aus
! trian republic. The correspondent was
| then permitted to motor some 25 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 long. low one-story houses
not unlike the settlements in Dutch
Pennsylvania. Men and women were
busy in the fenceless fields digging
! beet roots as the correspondent
| passed by.
Eckerteau castle is constructed of
stone and is surrounded by trees. 1t
| is guarded by a few soldiers, although
| there are scarcely any callers. The
building dates from the twelfth cen
tury but it's large rooms were remod-
eled a century ago and latter hand
somely furnished, SO that the castle
now appears to be merely luxurious
country place.
Shows Marks Of Tragedy.
AS the correspondent entered the
gates he was met by Captain See
dank and conducted through lofty
hall to the second story of the castle,
where he was received by the former
emperor Charles wore 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 that has come through the
collapse of his empire, but he cordially
greeted the correspondent, shaking
hands with strong. friendly grip.
Motioning the correspondent to
chair by center table and taking an
other himself, the former emperor
spoke first in English and then lapsed
into French.
II authorize the Associated Press to
say that not 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 pre-occupations was the
task of obtaining food for the soldiers
and people but 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 within a few weeks In
deed, it is already SO and every day
we do not use in the endeavor to get
food is day lost.
Lack Of Food is Menace.
1--WE have done our best and more
cannot be done. If food and coal is
not brought, we shall disorder in vi
emma. Possibly that disorder from
Russia which we call Bolshevism will
come The couple here are fine. kind
and patient, but when anyone is with
out food he is apt to do many unusual
and violent things. Looking hack, we
may recall that Bolshevism started in
Russia because of the lack of food.
thing it in the interest of the allies
to aid us, as Bolshevism. when started,
may spread and become danger to
the allies, too.
"Our coal and food situation is
worse because Of transportation con-
ditions The railroads became badly
disorganiZed lately | am very glad
to see an American. who represents
a country which is working for peace.
| have worked for peace always.
Regarding the future-and | can
not speak of the past-I can only re-
peat that | feel did my duty. How
ever. | do hope that peace will bring
good fortune, happier days and a bet
ter understanding among all peoples"
During the interview the former
monarch did not show bitterness to-
ward the allies or America because of
their military victory, though it may
be inferred that he is heart-sore over
the loss of his army and also over his |
failure to preserve his empire intact. |
He feels that the breaking up of the |
empire into small groups of nations is
bound to bring economic and political
disaster to all. and that some sort OF |
a central government is necessary for |
their common interests.
Asks About Wilson.
1t was pointed out to the correspond |
ent by officers at the castle that the !
former emperor's whole heart and |
mind has been centered on the work |
of securing the welfare of the people, |
The only pleasure he has taken dur /
ing the war has been to hunt for al
few hours each week. He worked 1S /
hours day for long periods. He is |
said to be much hurt by stories which /
were circulated in allied countries i
about his private life. especially drunk
enness. AS after of fact, he drinks
but one glass of wine or beer at lunch /
and never drinks liquors at dinner.
Before the correspondent left, after
half an hours conversation, Charles |
inquired if President Wilson was we'll.
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