Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-01
Charles, Former
Emperor, Dead
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Sohunucd from Page one
transmission to the French Government,
In which the monarch said France
claim to Alsacc- Lorraine was "justi.
fed"
Although the letter was denounced as
a forgery in Vienna, the Foreign
Office. claiming II had been written by
n French ecclcsiastic who had been act.
ing as confessor to the Empress Zita,
subsequent events proved Its authcn.
ticity. 1t was the first revelation of
the break between the German Emperor
and his vassal king. Previously, En-
peror Charles lad indicated his desire
for peace. however, In speeches before
the Reichsrnt. In December. 1917. hc
declared his willingness to conclude
peace with the Allies il they would
guarantee the integrity Of Austria Hun
gary.
Charles Abdicatcs Throne
On November IL, 1918. two days
after the signing Of the armistice,
Charles issued n manlfcstot announcing
formally his abdication Of the throne
of Austria Hungary. March II, of the
following year, by permission OF the
Swiss Government, he took refuge In
wartegg Castle. on the shore Of Lake
April -. 1919. when he rented, for
a period of eight months, house that
once was the residence OF Prince Jerome
Napolcon, OH the banks of Lake Ge.
neva. ut Praggins, and took possession
on the first week of May. The Swiss
ASYLUM was obtained for the ,cpos'l
Emperor through the efforts Of the
British Government.
Despite his abdication manifesto OF
November 70. 1915, Charles. during. his
enforced exile In Switzerland. con-
tinued to maintain his right to the
Hungarian throne and lnnde secret
preparations for his return to his for
mer realm. Breaking the pledge he
had given the Swiss Government. not
to leave the country without ITS per-
mission. he depa ted from rr%n"StnH %
on the afternoon of February y. l02l,
accompanied by Counts Erdody. Hun.
yady and Amassy. With an officer as
his chauffeur. he slipped across the
border unnoticed, In an automobile,
disguised as a Tyrolean tourist. As
soon as the former Emperor and his
companions had left Swiss territory,
military car was awaiting to take them
to Count Erdody's estate in Austria.
near Steinmangcr. 4 few days later
he appeared unexpectedly in Budapest,
and "A little later went to Vienna.
"hcrc he met n group Of MonarchiSSts.
What developed at this conference has
never been made public.
Leaves Switzerland In Plane
Two months after his return to his
lake Luccrne residence. Charles nOti-
fied the Swiss Government Of his in.
tention TO withdraw his parole and
again attempt to regain the Hungarian
throne. Although he was kept under
surveillance, he managed to evade his
guardians and on Thursday. October
II. accompanied by the Empress
Zita, he left In an airplane and ar
rived in Odrnhury. Hurgrnand. IN tn"
following day. Two battalions OF troops
were awaiting him. ready to escort
him to Budapest. When he reached
Rnnb he found IN army OF l2,0Oo
men ready to join him. October "a.
when he was almost within sight OF
his goal, hi, army met and was de.
ci.ivrly defeated by the government
troops and Charles was taken pris.
oner. 1t was reported that he planned
TO commit suicide following his cap.
ture. hut was prevented by the former
, Empress Zitn. who saw him preparing
to shoot himself and prevented him
from carrying ont his intention.
Meanwhile the Allied Council Of AM
bnssndors had conferred on Charles
r4capades and had decided that both he
and his wife Zitn should be placed upon
british cruiser in the Danube and
held there until new asylum could be
found. Various places were suggested,
but decision wa" finally reached to
transport the royal pair to Funchal. on
the isluni of Madeira, 44O miles from
the Moroccan ,onst. They arrived at
tlr.r de,,inut on November 20, on board
IT," British battle-cruiser Cardiff, and
were received with fitting honors. They
discmbnrked and went at once to the
Villa ol Virtorin. which is to be their
ornament residence. The villa is sit &.
uated in the midst of picturesque scenery
uu the top If cliff 100 feet above the
sea. 1t has extensive and beautiful
grounds. with tennis courts and other
! attractions.