Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17
PRINCE OTTO BATTLES
FOR HUNGARY THRONE
Adherents in Hungary Declare Disso
luton of Parliament in 1919
Was Invalid.

I cred from his tragic. experience. A few
months later he died of inflammation
of the lungs.
Karl's second bid for power caused
CONSERVATION in the cabinets of the
allies and especially in the capitals of
the little entente. The possible con-
sequences of a Hapsburg restoration
| had been demonstrated wildly to the
statesmen at Prague, Belgrade and
Bucharest. Something had to be done.
| In the treaty of Trianon the question
! is not dealt with, but is left to the
| discretion of Hungary.
DethrOnement Enacted.
Now the powers brought pressure to
bear on the country and demanded the
! passage of a law that was to make
an end of the Hapsburg threat. The
| National Assembly had no choice but
| to declare the reinforcement of the
Hapsburgs. At the same time the allies
could not prevent it from adding a
clause that the law was voted under
foreign pressure which in other words
| means force majeure."
Since this experience in the Fall of
1921 and the adoption of this law the
Hungarian government has adhered to
the policy that for external and also
for internal" reasons the decision on
the question of a monarchy must be
| indefinitely postponed. 1T is not a
problem of actuality," Premier Bethlen
declared repeatedly.
1t is said that one of the motives
for Karl's escond attempt was rumor
that Archduke Albrecht was aspiring
to the throne and that he had the
support OF the free electionists, who
favored him on the ground that he was
as much descendant of the old Mag
var dynasty of the Arpads as of the
Hapsburgs. 1t cannot be denied that
such plans existed. Albrecht himself
kept in the background but his am
bilious mother, Isabella, was active and
spent large sums in his behalf.
The recent visit of Albrecht at Stee-
nokkerzeel. where he pledged his I'M
conditional allegiance to Otto and for
mally recognized him as head of the
family and only legitimate heir of the
throne has ended this division. A
short time ago it was reported that
Albrecht intended to conclude NOR
ganatic marriage with the divorced
wife of Hungarian diplomat and that
Otto had promised to give his consent,
which is indispensable for a law-abid-
ing Hapsburg archduke.
Popular Choice Awaited.
However, the elimination of Al
brecht from the list of throne candi-
dates does not settle the question as
to whether Otto will be the future
King or whether more suitable prince
will be found. The full fiedged legiti-
mistS hold that the present Hungarian
Parliament is not entitled to settle the
question.
But Count Bethlen said recently in
speech that the Parliament would
make such decision as soon as free
and independent vote on the future
King could be obtained 1T is posi-
BILE that the King will be Otto" Beth
entirely with the representation of the
people"
In Hungary, politics is still largely
a prerogative of the upper classes. The
circle has been widened in late years,
but public opinion is under a certain
amount of pressure. Hungary, though
constitutional, is not a democracy in
the Western sense. For the man in
the street it is not advisable to be
too laxative. Incautious remarks
might get him into prison on the sus-
picion that he was a secret bolshevist.
On first visit to Hungary one can
not rid oneself of the impression that
much of the admirable discipline one
sees is due to drill. Horthy and Beth
len have the reins well in hand and
counts are still higher beings.
The country is going now through
an economic crisis. The people are
much more concerned with their daily
life than they are with Kings. If
King could bring wealth, he would be
hailed at a savior. If he could not,
he would not have much chance of
becoming popular There is little
chance, however. that he could bring
wealth as things are now.