FIGHT FOR A THRONE

Evening Star, Issue 21076, 13 April 1932, Page 10

FIGHT FOR A THRONE

PRINCESS ZITA HOLDS MIMIC COURT DOOMED EMPEROR AND THE HAPSBURG JEWELS "Give us back our Emperor 1”- This is the cry to-day of the peasants in Austro-Hungary, who hope that a return of Monarchism will also bring back their prosperity. The Monarchists are now redoubling their efforts to restore the Hapsburgs and place the Archduke Otto on the dual throne "(states a writer in the Liverpool •Weekly Post’). Fate has indeed dealt no Imperial woman a heavier blow than that sustained by the ex-Empress of AustroHungary, Princess Zita, through the war and consequent effects. It is hot a popular story. For of all dethroned Emperors, Charles of Austro-Hungary got less sympathy than any other monarch. His death in a racketty and leaky house in Funchal, Madeira, was the climax of a frightful tangle of events. Semi-starvation, bitter weather, and a touch of the Hapsburg weak chest, brought the end. The narrative is slurred by most historians. In the post-war tangles of 1922 people had other things than dying dethroned monarchs to worry about. So alone, pinched by hunger, bitten by a great dream of coming help, Charles drew his last breath. His funeral was a plain interment in a public cemetery. It was by chance that Charles was made heir to the Austrian throne. Ferdinand, his uncle, was heir, but owing to the latter’s marriage with' Countess Choteck, their children would not have succeeded, and his nephew was made his heir. Charles was a pleasant man, who represented his Sovereign, the old Emperor, Francis Joseph, at the coronation of King George. _ When the shots of Sarajevo made him next to the throne he accepted it all as a matter of course. He had made a happy love match. His wife was Princess Zita. of the ancient House of Bourbon-Parma, a brilliant, lovely woman, filled with ambitions not shared by Charles. Their home life was simple and unaffectedly on© of domestic joy, until suddenly the world tempest burst upon them and the shadows fell across their path. APATHETIC EMPEROR. On November 21, 1916, Francis Joseph died, and Charles was immediately declared Monarch of the DualEmpire. It was a dark and depressing time, for Austria’s resources were beginning to fail. Yet wonders were worked by Empress Zita. She spurred her husband into delivering speeches in disaffected parts of the Empire. She circulated stories of heroic deeds at the battle fronts, established many hospitalSj and organisedthe women workers. Slie was enthusiastic as a lovely woman with keen brains can be. Charles, however, was apathetic. He failed to reform his country to a new sense of Imperial duty. The capitulation of the Bulgarian Army shook his throne to the foundations. Still he dreamed on, though Zita was already making preparations for flight. On October 16, 1918, he issued a manifesto, the ymrk of Zita, offering the dual kingdoms of a federal State.

The project failed, and the revolutionaries were soon surrounding the Hoffburg Palace and Government Buildings. On November 13 the Republic of the German-Austrian party was announced in Vienna, and also at Budapest. In this hour of trial Charles did not act as a hero. In vain Zita hastened from one aristocrat and throne supporter to another, imploring them to stand fast and calm the agitators. The revolutionary virus had bitten into both nations. Charles was unknown, no lofty figure of historical importance as Emperor Francis Joseph. President _ Horthy said afterwards that had Zita been the Emperor instead of Charles they might have pulled through. He lacked initiative, and seemed sunk in apathy. In March tho following year tho Imperial family moved to Switzerland. A DESPERATE GAMBLE.

Some months later an attempt was made for a grand coup- by aeroplane. The Emperor and Consort flew to Bugenland, where a small revolt had been in progress by Royalist troops. Charles, with his rag tail and bob collection of Royalists, adventurers, and others, marched on Budapest, to proclaim himself King of Hungary. The little Entente and Allied Powers at once stamped on the enterprise and rallied for the support of the Horthy Republic. In this troubled hour, Zita remained the guide, philosopher, and loving wife. Now, however, a new cloud darkened down.

Tuberculosis, the scourge of the Hapsburgs, fastened its fangs on her idolised husband. While lying sick and fevered he and Zita were arrested by instructions from the Powers at Komorn.

His definite deposition from the Throne of Austria and claims to any kingdom were insisted on, while rhe Allies took him into internment for safe custody. Switzerland refused Charles asylum, and there remained nothing but the hospitality of Portugal. An English ship was placed at their disposal, and wife and family Avere transported io Funchal, Madeira. It was the beginning of tho end. The cough of the Emperor was much increased. Funchal Avas no winter resort in the Christmastide, and a cutting south Avind, for Avhich there is no protection, moaned round the island. At first they stayed in an old chateau. Their circumstances Avere very strained, and the tradesmen of the island gave no credit. EATING RAW ONIONS. Zita now unpacked her glittering gems Avhich she held in custody. They Avere probably normally Avorth a million and u-half of English money. Her eyes glinted Avith a Avoman’s .love of beautiful gems as she held up the huge princess gem gifted by Empress Maria Theresa to a Hapsburg; the Mogul’s Egg, a mountainous pure diamond once Avorn in the turban of an Indian potentate. Small diamonds of beauty and great worth, and flashing necklaces cf pearls, tiaras of pure diamonds, and regalia belonging to the old kingdom of Hungary and that accumulated by the Hapsburgs. A tithe of the Avhole, by that time in tho custody of the Republican Government.

The deadly cold, the growing debts, the dark outlook, all friends gone. Thus was the position as the New Year came on. At this time came Baron Steiner, late Chamberlain of the Imperial Court, with words of sympathy. He was rightly shocked at seeing an Emperor eating raw onions picked from a way-

side path. Well might he weep to see such desolation. It was Steiner who suggested taking the gems to Amsterdam to sell them to a syndicate of international merchants. He explained in the break-up of many monarchies, diamonds and historic gems were a lottery jn the market of .precious stones. It was a desperate situation. They could not pay their rent. The landlord roughly turned them out in\the new Republican spirit. Where could they go? At last, while Steiner vanished with the gems, Charles and Zita and the children were allowed to live in a broken-down, untidy, empty shack. It was a charity, this sort of bungalow, through which the wind whistled while all through the night the Emperor coughed. WAITING AND HOPING. A physician had been called, and said there must be nourishment. In desperation Zita went to Madeira and sold her last few jewels. She purchased wine and other delicacies, and they said encouragingly to each other: “ It will be all right when Steiner comes.”- Rut Steiner came not. It was a cold spring of lingering, biting winds. Pneumonia seized the exEmperor, The house was nearly bare of food, The crazy bed bad broken down, and the sufferer lay on a pallet on the floor close to a tiny lire of rubbish wood. It would be all right when Steiner came. He could only whisper this, while the children went down to the cold sea front to look for cast-up fish and mussels. The great gales blew. .Never did this devoted woman lose heart before her husband. She knew ho was dying before her eyes, dying of malnutrition and extreme poverty. So, just before the end, she must go into Madeira and offer herself for work in the hotels. An ex-Empress scrubbing on her knees was one of the unnoticed sights of post-war days. On April 1, 1922, the end came in cold and hunger. So died at noon, upon his pallet bed in a lireless room, Charles, once the Emperor of the dual kingdoms of Austria and Hungary. He was thirty-two years of age, and when he expired almost' a skeleton. Of Steiner it must be said the gems were honestly handled by his skill, hut were sequested by various writs against the Hapsburg family. Gradually they were sold by orders of the court, until American women flaunted many an historic gem. They said the Hapsburg jewels were cursed. Since that terrible time Zita has never faltered in her efforts to recapture the dual throne for her son, Otto. She has maintained a mimic court, and by painting miniatures and collecting and reselling works of art has managed to exist.