Dorothy Thompson

Coshocton Tribune/March 30, 1921

VIENNA, March 30—Via London. London, March. 30–“Are you drunk?” demanded an aide de camp at the former Royal palace in Budapest when Count Jarmay went to him with the request that he announce the presence of ex-king Charles with all the formality of pre-war days.

The aide de camp refused. He could not believe that Charles had entered Austria-Hungary. His incredulity was typical of that expressed by all other classes of people in Budapest and Vienna when the news came out that Charles had slipped over the frontier from Switzerland into the country he once ruled as emperor-king.

The surprise of the populace has not yet died. It is now mixed with keen curiosity over the effect of Charles’ unexpected and sensational visit.

Charles made his first appearance In Hungary at a dinner given on Saturday night by Premier Teleki at Svomnathley. Col. Lehar, the Royalist commandate of the district, was among the guests present.

The following night (Sunday) Charles proceeded to Budapest by motor car. He was accompanied by Count Erody, Count Sigray and Count Jarmay. The entrance of the former king into the city that was once capital and the seat of his rule of Hungary was entirely unexpected at least so far as the public at large was concerned.

Charles was greeted by Admiral Horthy, the Hungarian regent, and (Count) Witte.

Admiral Horthy, after a few preliminary remarks, addressed the former king as follows—

“I have received my mandate of Hungary from parliament and I could not renounce It except at the will of parliament. Your presence here will ruin the country and precipitate matters with the little entente, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, and Rumania.

Charles was obliged to withdraw from Budapest and returned to Svomnathley. At the time this was written he was unable to get papers to leave the country. If there was a Royalist plot connected with the entrance of Charles into Hungary it is regarded here as an utter failure. It is declared that the relationship between Teleki and Charles probably will ruin the political career of the former.