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Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 11

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Possible Restoration In Austria

PAPER’S DECLARATION

Great Importance Attached

To Statement

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

(Received June 16, 8.5 p.m.)

Vienna, June 16.

The "Koiclispost,” the Government’s organ, significantly refers to a possible restoration of the monarchy.

“Should the Austrian Government believe that a preponderating majority of Austrian people desire to express constitutionally its wish for a restord tiou of the monarchy, then the Govern mont would regard it as a purely internal question concerning Austria alone,” it states.

Greatest importance is attached to the declaration, and early action is predicted. The “Reichspost’s” article, which Is regarded in political circles as the most important Government intimation since the war, emphasises that the restoration of the Habsburgs will in no circumstances be carried out by a coup d’etat, which would be opposed to the Archduke Otto’s desire for constitutional methods. Accordingly, rumours of an early restoration are unfounded, and it, is suggested that a plebiscite will be adopted. The “Reichspost” adds that Otto would not claim the throne of any country outside Austria; Referring to military discussions among neighbouring and other countries it adds “every attempt at outside Interference will be sharply refused as no international obligation exists preventing Austria from choosing her own form of Constitution or recalling the Archduke Otto.”

Legitimist circles claim that Signor Mussolini is behind the move to restore the Habsburgs, which the Duce and Dr. Schuschnigg recently discussed. Signor Mussolini aims at a mediation between the Austrian Government and moderate Nazis with a view to removing the German threat to Brenner Pass, leaving Italy a freer hand in negotiations with Britain and France.

Bucharest reports suggest that a restoration of the Habsburgs will be most strongly opposed by the Little Entente, especially Yugoslavia, as the Habsburgs have never renounced their claims to the territory of the pre-war Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is recalled that the recent conference of King Carol, Prince Paul and M. Benes resulted in a report that three issues causing concern and possibly leading to military action were the Habsburg restoration, Italian or German interference in Austria, and revision of frontiers. It is significant that Little Entente military chiefs are discussing measures for concerted action in Central Europe and the Balkans. \