Will Hapsburgs Come Back?

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 141, 17 June 1936, Page 7

Will Hapsburgs Come Back?

Significant Inspired Statement POSSIBILITIES OF TROUBLE United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 9.0 p.m. VIENNA, June 16. The Reichspost, the Government’s organ, significantly refers to the possible restoration of the monarchy. “Should the Austrian Government believe a preponderating majority of the Austrian people desire to express constitionallly their wish for the restoration of the monarchy then tne Government would regard it as a purely internal question concerning Austria alone. The greatest importance is attached to this declaration and early action is predicted. Mussolini Behind Move EXPLOSIVE POSSIBILITIES Received Wednesday, 2 a.m. VIENNA, June 15. The Reichspost’s article, which is regarded in political circles as the most important' Government post-war intimation, emphasises that the restoration of the Hapsburgs will in no circumstances ho carried out by a coup d’etat which is opposed to Prince Otto’s desire for constitutional methods. Accordingly, the rumours of a near restoration arc unfounded. It is suggested that a plebiscite will be adopted. The Reichspost adds: “Otto would not claim the throne of any country outside Austria.” Referring to the military discussions among neighbouring and other countries, the paper adds: “Every attempt at outside interference will be sharply rerused as no international obligation exists preventing Austria cnosing her own form of Constitution or recalling Prince Otto.” Legitimist circles claim that Mussolini is behind the move to restore the Hapsburgs which tho Duce and Dr. Schuschnigg recently discussed. Mussolini aims at mediation between the Austrian Government and the moderate Nazis with a view to removing the German threat to the Brenner Pass, thus leaving Italy a freer hand in her negotiations with Britain and France.

A Bucharest message suggests that the restoration of the Hapsburgs will be most strongly opposed by the Little Entente, especially Yugoslavia, as the Hapsburgs never renounced tbeir claims to the territory held by the pre-war AustroHungarian Empire. It is recalled ’that the recent conference between King Carol of Rumania, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, and M. Benes of Czechoslovakia, resulted in the report that the three issues causing concern possibly leading to military action were the Hapsburg restoration, Italian or German interference in Austria and a revision of the frontiers. It is significant that the Little Entente military chiefs are discussing measures of concerted action in Central Europe and the Balkans.