The New York herald., 1922-04-03
DEATH OF CHARLES
WILL CALM HUNGARY
He Was Greatest Obstacle to
Consolidated Peace in
Europe.
BLOW TO LEGIEIMIsTs
Relaxation Seen in Nervous
ness of the Country's
Neighbors.
BLOW TO LEGITIMIsTs

Copyright, 1929, by THE NEW York HERALD.
VIENNA. April 2.-Although the Aus
trian press stresses the patEos of the
downfall and death Of former Emperor
Charles on a lonely island it is realized
the elimination OF his person removes
the greatest obstacle to consolidated
peace in central Europe and the calm
ing down of the Hungarian situation.
But the far reaching political con-
sequences cannot be fully gauged as
yet. The present effect is certain to
be the lifting of tie tense nervousness
which has kept Hungary's neighbors
dangerously excited for the last three
years. So far as Austria is concerned
the news Of Charles's death was re-
ceived with profound expressions OF
compassion and sympathy for the be-
.reaved family. Charles was never
popular in Austria except in limited
monarchist circles, and it was almost
forgotten he was ever factor In Aus
tria's destinies.
IL Charles was politically dead for
Austria long before his physical death
this was not the case in Hungary, where
he always remained the crowned king.
and the Hungarian aggressive policy for
the recovery Of territorial integrity was
closely connected with his person. He
served as a symbol for greater Hun
gary. This aggressiveness might be
mitigated now. and. according to the
latest dispatches from Budapest, an i'm
provement in Hungary's relations with
neighboring States is expected. The
legi.imists are expected to lose much Of
their influence.
While in Austria no political reaction
is outwardly visible. It Is likely the
monarchlsts of Austria will follow the
lead OF Hungary and accept Francis
Joseph Otto. eldest son of Charles. as
the legal head of the Hapsburgs. A
suggestion has been made that Prince
Sixtus. an Italian, and brother of former
Empress Zita, legally adopt Francis
Joseph Otto. making him a member OF
the Italian house OF Bourbon-Parma.
and thus circumvent the ban on the
Hapsburg succession.
Loses Lawful Ruler.
The political difference between Aus
tria and Hungary regarding the death
of Charles is that the former Is a re-
public, for which the death of the ex-
Emperor is a private affair without any
official consequences or public mourn
ing, while Hungary, a kingdom, con-
siders that Il has lost its lawful ruler.
whose royal rights we're only tempor-
arily suspended by circumstances but
never ceased.
Official Czecho-Slovakian circles In
Prague consider the death OF Charles as
a great relief. as his person as crowned
King of Hungary now passes into his
tory.
The ex-Emperor is stated to have ex
pressed the wish to be buried in the his
toric Sapuzner Gruft in Vienna, but 1t
is doubtful what attitude the republican
Government and the allied Powers will
assume on this point. Viennese Entente
circles believe the Hungarian monarch
lists will appeal to the Council of Ann
bassadors TO permit the burial there,
but II will take long time to settle the
question. The only extensive mark OF
sympathy revealed In Vienna was In the
fact the church bells throughout the city
rang for half an hour this morning In
Charless memory.
To-day's Vienna newspapers devote
long editorials TO. the former Emperor's
death, but all accentuate the human side
OF the tragedy. The Christian Reichs-
post, whose editor II said secretly to be
n monarchst. appeared In mourning and
declared This death has SO over
shadowed human misery that ono wishes
for humanity's sake that compassion and
respectful silence shall come to the aid
of the family"
Ascribed own Fate.
The Socialist Arbciter zeitunO Is not
Of the same opinion. 1t admits the hui
man side of the tragic end. but says the
event ls political as well as human. and
adds: THE decay OF the Hapsburg En-
pire Is the result OF the crime which
caused the world war. The House of
Hapsburg kindled the fire which devas-
tated the world. Those who are grieved
by the fact that Charles was forced to
die on the island OF Madeira ought to
keep In mind that he had ascribed this
fate to himself. IL he had kept quiet
the Austrian Republic would have left
him unmolested either In lower Austria
or Switzerland. But he wantonly chal-
lenged fate again and again. IL one
takes him for what he really was
Charles was a quiet. ordinary man who
lacked everything In the way of great
ness. He had the misfortune TO be sur
rounded by councillors who persuaded
him that his freed nation longed to re-
turn under his yoke. n is the fault OF