Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-03

he assembled the throne on Dec. 80,
1916, Austria Hungary, torn by four
years of war. saw the first faint
CLEAN of possible peace.
Ruled by Berlin for Six Months
The course of the new ruler was
regulated largely from Berlin and
for the first six months of his reign
Austria-Hungary was regarded as
mere German state. Won linden
burg's successes in Galicia in 1916 in
which Charles shared as a command
err in the field, gave the young mon
arch prestige which enabled him to
hold the Austrians to the Central
Powers until the collapse of Bulgaria
and Turkey and the final crash.
Peace overtures and maneuvers
characterized the diplomacy of the
dual monarchy after Francis Joseph's
death. procipitated doubtless BY
bread riots and other outbreaks
throughout Austria. Unable TO
maintain his pledge to the German
emperor "to continue the war to the
end" Charles made use of the FAM
Gus Dear Sixtus," letter, an auto
graphed missive written In April,
1918. to Prince SiXtus de Bourbon
for transmission to the French gov
eminent, in which the monarch said
Frances claim to Ascae Lorraine
was Justified"
Although the letter was denounced
as forgery" in Vienna, the foreign
Office claiming it had been written by
a French eccleslastic who had been
acting as confessor of Empress .Tita,
subsequent events proved its authcn-
ITCHY. 1t was tho first revelation of
the break between the German En-
peror and that of Austria Hungary.
Previously, Emperor Charles had in
Dictated his desire for peace, however,
in speeches before the Reichrat. In
December, 1917. ne declared his will
inencss to conclude peace With the
Allies if thcy would guarantee the in
tcgrity of Austria HUNGARY.
Tried to Prevent Revolution
Conditions in the dual monarchy
were rapidly growing worse. There
We're many cabinet changes and as
sassirations. The Macyars, Czccho-
Slavs and other nationalitics were
elamoring for constitutional reforms
and autonomous government.
Thereafter Charles lot was far
from being happy ono. lie was re-
ported to have refused to send Aus
trian troops to the Western battle
front despite the German Emperor's
Importantly. In every way he on
deavorod to stem the tide Of rcvolu-
ton. which seemed to be rising. He
promised all kinds of reforms and as
u sop to his disconnected subjects
pardoned a prisoners awaiting trial
AT Sarajevo for high treason.
IN October, 1918, he announced
plans for the liberalization Of Aus
tria Hungary, and in an address 70
the Hungarian Diet frankly admitted
his throne was in peril" \ day or
two later Count Karolyi. leader of tho
Hungarian Republicans. announced
tho success of a hlo0dlcss revolution
in Budapest and declared Hungary Il
free and independent state. Still la
ter the German and other provinces
declared their purpose to become au-
tonomous entities. and tho house Of
TIE Harsburgs. once the leader Of the
HOLY Roman Empire, vas compelled I
to give IN power.
Sent Into Exile by Allies
FX- Emperor Charles and his wife
Zita, We're sent into exile by the En-
tcnte Allies after he had made two
spectacular attempts to regain the
throne. in turn. of Austria and of
Hungary. Thereafter he was kept
political prisoner on the Portuguese
island Of Madeira, 400 miles off the
African coast.
Although his situation in exile
there resembles in some respects that
of Napoleon at st. Helena, Charles
ana Zita occupied much more COM
Portable position, for they were given
a pleasant home in the beautiful city
OF Funchal. whose residents treated
them with friendly consideration.
In Empress Xita had left her chill
drcn in switzerland. and whom one
of them was taken i'll the Allied Gov
crnmcnts permitted her 70 return to
that country and visit them.
ALttE litt t.tlbIlS lliltllI OIL llfP
Austrian Republic on Nov. II, 1918, |
Charles, who was then in Austria. !
sought permission to remain in that
country, but he was asked to leave !
after it was found he was plotting
for his resumption of power. He
left with his family late in March, |
1912, and rented a house on the ,
banks of Lake Geneva at PranGins, |
whore he resided for some months. /!
In this time reports Of his alleged |
plotting leaked out and brought (
forth a categorical statement from !
the Entente that the restoration of /
the House of Hapsburg would not be !
permitted. Charles had steadfastly !
refused to ahdicatc, although he was !
requested to do so at various times. /,
His Attempts to Regain Throne
On March 20, 1921. he suddenly |
in Vienna, but. his over !
lures, being repulscd by the Austrian
authorities. he went TO Budapest, !
where he attempted to take over the |
Hungarian Government from Admir- ,
al ITorthy, Hungarian regent, but !
without success. Although disap- |
pointed by the lack of support, the !
Elk Emperor refused to leave the |
country. pleading illness. Later he !
offered to rcnounce all his titles, re- |
naming as a simple citizen.
Switzerland, meanwhile, incensed .
at his violations of his agreement .
not to leave the country, was report /
cd as unwilling again to receive him. /