Levéltári Közlemények, 39. (1968)

Levéltári Közlemények, 39. (1968) 1. - FORRÁSKÖZLÉS - Karsai Elek: Brit diplomáciai iratok az 1921. évi húsvéti királypuccs történetéhez / 105–139. o.

Brit diplomáciai iratok az 1921. évi húsvéti királypuccs történetéhez 133 past record is very unfortunate, and he has deeply shocked many faithful adherents of his by his recent escapade, in which he showed himself forgetful of his engagements (1) to undertake no political action whilst allowed to reside in Switzerland, (2) to take no action with regard to the Hungarian throne, and (3) to travel direct out of the country when he turned his back on Budapest. Further, when he was in this capital he did not say that he had come to carry out his duty to his country: what he said was that he was the head of an ancient family and a great dynasty and had come here to fulfil his duty to that family. I fear it cannot be denied that Charles has conducted himself in a very unkingly way, and whilst probably ruining his own eventual chances to the throne, has brought the general cause of royalty into a certain measure of disrespect. In Budapest there has not been the very slightest movement in his favour. It may be that special measures were taken to prevent anything of the kind, but they were not visible. I think the best criterion of the general state of feeling, both here and in the country, is to be found Ín the vote of the Chamber, which,, as your Lordship knows, was unanimous in approving the action taken by Admiral Horthy and his Government. The only place of interest then is Szombathely, where Charles was residing, and I have found great difficulty in piecing together into a complete picture the various reports which I have heard of what happened there, which I have received from ail kinds of sources, including secret agents of the Italian Government. My own conclusions are as follows: When Charles first arrived the Bishop and Colonel Lehár, the military commander, both of strong Hapsburg tendencies, were amazed, but were mindful of their oath of loyalty to the Governor. The Prime Minister, who arrived on the scene a few hours later, did all he could, but in vain, to induce Charles to leave. He did not venture to entrust so important a secret as the arrival of the King to the telephone, and so,hastened himself by motor to Budapest, but his driver took the wrong turning, so that Charles himself arrived first completely unannounced. Admiral Horthy used exactly the same language as Count Teleki, only with more urgency, so that the ex-King returned to Szombathely, lingering there for a week. Lehár meanwhile had been very much shaken in his mind for he regarded Charles as the crowned King of Hungary — and I believe it is impossible to convey to those who have not been in this country how strong and deen is the universal feeling towards the „Sacred Crown of St. Stephen", and towards the individual on whose head it has been placed in accordance with the ancient rites of investiture, regardless of his conduct or character, a fact abundantly proved by historical instances and undoubtedly still true to-day — and there was need that he should be reminded by the Governor of his oath of fidelity to himself. I can hardly doubt but that Colonel Lehár took into consideration also the immense dangers into which he would be thrusting the country if he declared openly for Charles. There gathered round him some thirty of forty officers who shared his views and doubts. Meanwhile the Government despatched further troops of the Vas regiment, about 18Q gendarmes and some police and secret agents. Thus all demonstrations were prevented. Many People came to visit the ex-King at first, including Baron Latzko the head of the Legitimist Party in Austria, but their numbers rapidly declined, and whilst the. troops and population at Szombathely were on the whole apathetic and indifferent, those in Sopron were openly hostile. Colonel Lehár remained faithful to the Government and whilst Lieutenant

—General Hegedűs had been sent to replace him in case of extreme need he only did on the last two days, so that the Colonel might be spared the last trial to his feelings of ushering his King across the border. Whilst writing the above lines, I received a visit from Count Bethlen who, as your Lordship is aware, was sent by Admiral Horthy to Szombathely. I asked him for an account of what passed, and he entirely confirmed what I have stated. Count Bethlen tells me he asked Col. Lehár what he would do should King Charles order him to advance on Budapest: he said he would resign his commission. „But if His Majesty pressed you further and ordered you not to resign, but to obey his orders?" The Colonel replied that that would mean civil war to which he would never be a partner: his only honourable course would be to shoot himself. In this connection I desire most respectfully to refer to your Lordship's telegram No. 43 of the 5th instant, in which mention is made of the uneasiness and perplexity caused by the contradictory reports from Vienna and Budapest. I should be extremely grieved and should merit strong reproof had I misled your Lordship by incorrect information but I am unconscious of having done so whether over the present incident or during my previous residence in this country, and it would be a satisfaction to me if my reports on Hungary might be given a priority of credence to those which are sent from a neighbouring capital, where the personalities