HOUSE OF HAPSBURG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21987, 23 June 1933, Page 9

HOUSE OF HAPSBURG

RESTORATION PROPOSED SIGNOR MUSSOLINI’S PLAN REPORT GIVEN PROMINENCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, June -22. (Received June 22, at 7 p.ra.) The Daily Herald gives prominence to a story from its diplomatic correspondent, that Signor Mussolini proposes the immediate restoration of tne Hapsburgs, with Otto as King of both Austria , and Hungary. . The British Government, it is claimed, is sympathetic, and the German Government, under the pressure of Rome, has reluctantlv agreed. Paris advices say that Cabinet is divided on the matter, and only the Little Entente is solid in its opposition. The Herald connects the proposal with the phrase of Captain Eden (Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs) that speedy means would be found of removing the friction between Germany and Austria. France is hesitating because the Little Entente is very alarmed and close friendship with the Little Entente is the kingpin of French policy. The Prime Minister of Austria (Dr Dolfnss) is enthusiastic about Signor Mussolini’s scheme as it removes the Nazi menace and strengthens the power of the Vatican in Central Europe, but Admiral Horthy (Hungary) is not enthusiastic, though he is afraid to oppose Signor Mussolini’s scheme. Admiral Horthy insists that the union between Austria and Hungary should be confined to the kingship and each should keep complete independence. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent also deals with the subject. He says that the representatives of the Little Entente at the World Conference are apprehensive lest France should support the Italian policy on the Danube. This aims at preventing an Austro-German union by promoting an Austro-Hungarian reunion and eventually, perhaps, the restoration of the Hapsburgs. France probably will prefer any solution to the AustroGerman union.

The House of Hapsburg is the most famous of the royal houses of Europe. Deriving its name from the castle of Habsbuirg, in the Swiss Canton of Aargan,. the family, which was founded in the twelfth century, rapidly became one of the most powerful in Swabia. Albert IV laid the foundations of the future greatness of the house, and his eldest son, who was elected Emperor of tlie Holy Roman Empire in 1273, greatly increased the power of the family. In succeeding centuries the title of emperor was always vested in a member of the Hapsburg family. One of the most famous members of the family was, Maria Theresa, whose accession separated the Crown of Austria from the Imperial diadem and incidentally involved Austria in a war with Frederick the Great. Maria Antoinette, the unfortunate Queen of France, who was beheaded during the reign of terror in Paris, was a daughter of the House of Hapsburg. Prior to 1918, Austria and Hungary were united under a dual monarchy, the Emperor Karl, the last of the Hapsburgs, abdicating in that year.