Zita seeks permission to leave Spain

October 9, 1922


Former Austrian empress Zita is anxious to leave Spain, according to one of her supporters, Count Joseph Karolyi. She feels that her poverty in Spain "compels her to play the poor relation."
Zita, who is the widow of Emperor Karl, is finding it difficult to support herself and her children. She has sold all of her jewels, and, due to the depreciation of the Hungarian currency, she is receiving a far less income from her Hungarian estates. She has asked to to move back to Gödello, near Budapest, and promises not to interfere in Hungarian politics.
The former Hungarian premier, Count Albert Apponyi, says that Zita has the right to return to Hungary, but it is the current premier who opposes Zita and her family's return. He says it is understood that Premier Bethlen will provide an allowance to Zita if she remains outside Hungary.