MAY RETURN

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19914, 17 June 1936, Page 7

MAY RETURN

iTl—lE AUbTRIAN MONARCHY 1 ill PURELY INTERNAL QUESTION. 1 ! PLEBISCITE MAY BE TAKEN. United Press Assam—Else. Tel. CopyrlKhL VIENNA. June 16. The Relchposl, the Austrian Govern—ment‘s organ, in a signiticant article. refers to the possible restoration of the monarchy. The paper says: “Should the Austrian Government believe that a pre—ponderating majority of the people of Austria desire to express in a constitutional manner their wish for the restoration or the monarchy, then the ‘Governmcnt would regard it as a purely internal question concerning Austria alone." The greatest. importance is attached to this declaration and early action is predicted. The Reichpost's article. which is regarded in political circles as the Government's most important intimation since the Great War. emphasises that the restoration of the Hapsburgs Iwlll in no circumstances be carried out by a coup d‘etat, which would be lopposed to the Archduke Otto‘s desire for constitutional methods. 1 Accordingly rumours of a restora‘tion in the near future are unfounded. tit is suggested that a plebiscite will be ‘adopted. The lleichpost adds that the ‘Archduke Otto would not claim the throne of any country outside Austria. 1 Outside Interference Refused. 1 Referring to military discussions among neighbouring and other coun—‘trles, the paper adds: “ Every attempt at outside interference will be sharply Iretused, as no international obligation lexists to prevent Austria choosing her ‘own form of Constitution or recalling Otto." Legitimist circles claim that Signor Mussolini is behind the move to restore the Hapsburgs, which 11 Duce and Dr. Schuschnigg recently dis—cussed. Signor Mussolini aims at imediation between the Austrian Government and the moderate Nazis with a view to removing the German threat ;to the Brenner Pass, leaving Italy a freer hand for negotiations with ‘Britaln and France. - ‘ Opposed by Little Entento. 1 1 A message from Bucharest says the ‘suggestion for the restoration of the llapsburgs will be very strongly opposed by the Little Entcnte. especially ‘Yugoslavia, as the Hapsburgs never renounced their claims to the terri—tory of the pro-war Austro-Hungarianl ‘ Empire. 1 i it is recalled that the recent con-1 ‘t‘erence between King Carol of Ru-1 :manla. Prince Paul of Yuvoslavia, andi Dr. Benes or Czechsiovakla, resulted in a report that three issues were causing concern which possibly would lead to military action. These were: A llapsburg restoration. Italian or German interference in Austria, and a revision of the frontiers. It is significant that the Little En—tente‘s military chiefs are discussing measures for concerted action between Central Europe and the Balkans.