October 20, 1928
By wireless to the New York Times.
It is possible now that a Habsburg will sit on the Hungarian throne. Candidates for for the throne "loom largely in the Hungarian public eye," have taken heed to remarks made a week ago about the Hungarian Premier Count Bethelen "that the late Allies and makers of the Treaty of Trianon, completely unpopular here and fairly unsuccessful, must one day consider the election of a ruler who will give the State a real future."
There are two possible candidates for the Hungarian throne. Archduke Otto. who recently celebrated his 16th birthday, and, thus, has reached the age of majority, is the legitimist candidate. His father, Karl, was the last Emperor of Austria.
The "leading opposition candidate" is Otto's kinsman, Archduke Albrecht, who recently received the New York Times reporter, Wythe Williams, at his palace in Budapest. The Archduke refused to discuss politics, except to echo Count Bethelen's words: the time is "not yet ripe" for restoration.
Albrecht is "strongly in the running" for several reasons. He is young -- he is only 30 -- and he is "sturdy, extremely intelligent and not married into any royal house that might complicate his changes." Albrecht is very wealthy, and "could be King in truly regal style." Although he is one of "those unpopular Habsburgs banned by allied decree from ruling any nation," he was born in Hungary. Through his mother, Archduchess Isabella, he is of "the House of Croy." If convenient, "he may forswear the Habsburgs altogether.
Albrecht lives in the house of his father, Archduke Friedrich, once the Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Imperial Armies. The reporter received "considerable ceremony," when he arrived: "much bowing, saluting and heel-clicking from officers and servants of the Archducal household."
Once inside the reception room, the "formality vanished completely." The archduke, "a brisk, blond young man," entered the room in a "rush resembling that of an American football player." He pulled out a chair, started smoking and "in perfect English launched into torrent of questions.
Albrecht, who does not think that he is about to be made king, is very interest in the upcoming American presidential elections. He also expressed an interested in visiting America.
"I intend to go. What is the best time of year? What is the best hotel in Washington. They tell me Al Smith is a fine fellow, but what change has he got? Do you know Untermyer and Morgan?
"Yes, I guess I'm asking you too many questions, but I like to ask questions. Perhaps if I didn't have to work here I might qualify on a newspaper. I'd like that. I've met lots of newspaper men, some Americans around the Ritz at Paris, but I was incognito. They were fine fellows; give them my regards."
Albrecht reflected for a few minutes: "Oh, yes, about my work. Well, you understand. I'd really like to open upon political subjects, but you see, well. I'm studying law just now - hard. I've got to get that down pat before talking politics.
"My real work just now is child welfare. All our children who got a bad start on account of war suffering are now being well looked after. We had a great number of them in Holland and Switzerland, but now we have things so organized that we can look after them in Hungary.
"I went to Holland for the Olympics and had a great time aboard the Roosevelt with your General MacArthur.
"Yes. I'm also a qualified farmer, a graduate of an agricultural college. Farming, you know, is our greatest industry. How do you like our gypsy musicians? They play rotten jazz, don't they? Much netter for them to stick to their own stuff."
The New York Times reporter left the palace and watched the changing of the guard at the old Imperial Palace, now the home of the Regent, Admiral Horthy. He notes that "the testimony of everyone here is about the same: Hungary wants a king again on her throne."
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